The West African Action Network on Small Arms (WAANSA) is to encourage member countries of the United Nations in West Africa to ratify the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT).

According to WAANSA-Ghana the treaty would help prevent human rights abusers and violators of the war from being supplied with arms.

A statement issued by Mr Ken Kinney, WAANSA-Ghana President, to Ghana News Agency called on security, stakeholders in development, civil society organisation and individuals campaigning against proliferation of illicit arms to foster peace and security by stopping illegal arms to conflict regions.

The statement said the forum would help keep warlords, pirates and gangs from acquiring deadly tools.

It noted that 118 countries have signed the treaty and only 41 have ratified it.

This calls for 50 additional countries to ratification it for ATT to come into force.

According to the statement the General Assembly adopted ATT April 2, 2013 to regulate the international trade in conventional arms, from small arms to battle tanks, combat aircraft and warships.