Ghana has reinforced its regional leadership in security efforts by hosting a three-day high-level planning meeting in Accra focused on dismantling illicit firearms networks under the framework of Operation KAFO VI.
Organised by the Ministry of the Interior in collaboration with international partners, the event marks a coordinated response to the growing threat of arms trafficking across West Africa. The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, addressed participants with a strong call to action.
“Let this planning meeting not be remembered as another workshop. Let it be remembered as the beginning of a new phase in regional enforcement where we do not merely react to threats, but anticipate, prevent and dismantle them. We must see it through with unity, integrity and urgency”
Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, Minister Of Interior
According to the Ministry of the Interior, the goal of the meeting is to align national and regional efforts to counter firearms trafficking and the violence it enables.
Operation KAFO VI, the sixth in a series of targeted interventions, focuses on intelligence-led enforcement, capacity building, and multi-country collaboration to prevent weapons from reaching criminal networks.
Hon. Muntaka stressed that the current initiative is not just about reactionary enforcement but proactive containment of security threats through strategic anticipation and planning.
“Operation KAFO VI emphasises understanding the threat before it reaches borders and also empowers law enforcement officers with data, training and cooperation mechanisms”
Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, Minister Of Interior
A central component of the operation is a comprehensive training programme. The Ministry said the programme includes regional training-of-trainers modules, national capacity-building initiatives, and standardised tools for operational planning and threat assessment.
The Ministry also emphasised the importance of inclusivity in operational design, noting that Operation KAFO VI encourages gender balance and promotes the involvement of qualified women in all areas of the mission, from strategic planning to ground-level enforcement.
“The meeting is expected to assist participating countries in identifying key border points for intervention and developing a united and strategic response to arms trafficking and violent extremism”
Ministry of the Interior
Also speaking at the meeting, Mr. Christoph Capelle, Chief of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Ghana, highlighted the broader implications of the gathering for regional peace and stability.
In his remarks, he said, “This Regional Planning Meeting marks another milestone in the fight against illegal arms and crime in West Africa.”
Mr. Capelle also underscored the importance of collective action in dealing with “transnational threats,” asserting that no single country or institution can adequately address the problem in isolation.
“UNODC is providing technical assistance to Ghana because collaboration is essential and no country or agency can combat illicit firearms and crime alone, as the situation has become transnational and complex requiring a collective effort”
Mr. Christoph Capelle, Chief of the UNODC, Ghana
The event has brought together stakeholders from Ghana, Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Togo, alongside representatives from the Diplomatic Corps and various international agencies.
One of the key goals of the planning sessions is to build mutual trust among national authorities and regional partners, facilitating effective information sharing and coordinated operational responses.
The Ministry explained that by developing shared threat assessments and identifying critical intervention points, Operation KAFO VI aims to create a uniform standard of regional preparedness, thereby reducing vulnerabilities at border points and within national jurisdictions.
The Ministry of the Interior stated that the collaborative approach taken during the planning meeting reflects Ghana’s broader commitment to regional security and its leadership. Ghana’s initiative is expected to set a precedent for future partnerships aimed at addressing emerging transnational threats across the continent.
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