Ghana has not yet endorsed the Political Declaration on the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. It did not actively participate in the negotiations towards a Political Declaration, though expressed its support for the process.
Statements and positions
Ghana has on several occasions spoken on explosive weapons in populated areas in multilateral forums. At the United Nations General Assembly First Committee in 2019, Ghana supported the process towards a political declaration on the use of explosive weapons in populated areas and the protection of civilians and civilian objects in armed conflict.1 It reiterated this support the following year, saying “we are encouraged by the inclusive consultative process initiated by Ireland to develop a political declaration in addressing the humanitarian consequences of the use of explosive weapons in populated areas (EWIPA). We call on all stakeholders to show genuine political will towards such innovative measures for the protection of civilians and civilian objects in armed conflict in compliance with international humanitarian law.”2 At the UN Security Council Open Debate on the Protection of Civilians in May 2022, Ghana said that the Security Council could help strengthen the protection of civilians in armed conflict by improving reporting mechanism for monitoring and tracking civilian harm to cover reporting on civilian casualties by the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.3
In 2017, Ghana endorsed the communiqué arising from the Maputo Regional Meeting on Protecting Civilians from the Use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas.4 The Maputo Communiqué discussed the harms of explosive weapons in populated areas, the role of African states in working against it, and the need to create a Political Declaration on the matter. The 19 African states present agreed to work independently and cooperatively to, inter alia: avoid the use of explosive weapons with wide area effects in populated areas; encourage collection of data and information; fully support the process towards adoption of an international Political Declaration; promote bilateral and regional cooperation through sharing experiences, good practices and expertise on reducing the harm caused by explosive weapons to civilians; constructively engage in discussions and initiatives at international level that could effectively provide greater protection to civilians in armed conflicts; foster deeper and further engagement from African States; and strengthen cooperation and partnerships with international organizations and civil society organisations to draw upon their relevant expertise and support.
Ghana also endorsed the Ireland-led joint statement during the 74th United Nations General Assembly First Committee in 2019.5 The statement encouraged states to participate in international efforts to address the impacts of the use of explosive weapons in populated areas on civilians, including by working towards the creation of an international political declaration on this issue.6