President of the West African Action Network on Small Arms (WAANSA), Baffour Dokyi Amoa, has appealed to all West African governments to tackle unemployment which has led to armed violence in the nations. He said about 70% of the youth are employable but are without jobs, and this has gradually led to the growth of armed violence, retarding development in the sub-region.

He was speaking at the Third Regional Civil Society Forum, held in Accra. The 3rd Regional Civil Society Forum was themed 'Peace and security in West Africa-The impact of Small Arms and Light WeaponsÂ". The three day forum seeks to develop strategies geared towards a sustained peace and stability in the ECOWAS sub region. The WAANSA President Baffour Dokyi Amoa, his organisation is partnering with ECOWAS, governments in West African States and Civil Society organizations, because they represent the vulnerable and innocent in the community, who suffer due to the misuse of illicit small arms and light weapons.There were fraternal greetings from participating Organizations. They were all of the view that conflicts delay economic, health, education and all forms of human security. Executive Director of the West Africa Network for Peace-building Emmanuel Bombande, cautioned that as Africans we should not copy blindly from other cultures where possession of small arms are legalized

The Interior Minister Martin Amidu, also called on stakeholders to collaborate in managing the borders, across the West African sub-region, in the fight against the proliferation and misuse of small arms, which continue to threaten the security of people and nations in West Africa