Accra, Aug. 10, GNA - Ghana has called on the United Nations (UN) to build national capacities to fight the root causes of conflict as an essential part of peace consolidation, especially in the areas of political and economic governance and rule of law.

She said it was important for the international community to recognize the need for such an approach to attain durable solutions to the conflict in West Africa and to explore ways and means to promote sustainable peace and security.

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Cooperation and NEPAD and current President of the United Nations Security Council, made the comments in New York during a debate on Peace and Security in West Africa.

Nana Akufo-Addo is chairman of the rotating chairmanship of the UN Security Council was addressing the 5509th Security Council meeting at the UN Headquarters in New York, a statement from the Ministry said. Nana Akufo-Addo said the Security Council considered that illicit trafficking in small arms and light weapons still posed a threat to peace and security in the Sub-Region and welcomed the decision of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Member States to transform the Moratorium on the Import, Export and Manufacture of Light Weapons into a binding convention.

The Security Council underlined the crucial importance of disarmament; demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants; taking into account the special needs of child soldiers and women; and urged the international community to work in close partnership with the countries concerned.

Nana Akufo-Addo said it was important for continued and enhanced co-operation between the United Nations, ECOWAS and the African Union in peace consolidation initiatives, based on an integrated approach with the aim of maximizing the use of available resources. The Security Council emphasized the regional dimension of peace and security in West Africa and requested the Secretary-General, in consultation with the ECOWAS Secretariat, to submit to it by the end of the year a report with recommendations on the cooperation between the United Nations missions deployed in the Sub-Region and cross-border issues in West Africa.

Speaking to newsmen after the meeting, Nana Akufo-Addo said in spite of events in other regions of the world, it was appropriate that with Ghana in the Chair the Council devoted at least one session to examine the situation in West Africa, using the lessons of Ghana's experience and all the peacekeeping tools available to meet existing as well as emerging challenges. 10 Aug. 06