Topic: 2024-Private Military Contractors
Country: Ghana
Delegate Name: Sam Ogilvie
Delegate Name: Sam Ogilvie
Country: Ghana
Committee: DISEC
Topic: Private Military Contractors
Private military contractors most often operate in conflict zones or areas of instability. The origins of PMCs can be traced to the late 20th century, they have become key influences in global conflicts, especially during the 1990s and early 2000s. Their rise in popularity was driven by privatization trends and cost-cutting measures by governments. The increasing use of outsourced military services in conflicts has become an issue of ethical, legal, and security concerns.
Ghana has a very critical point of view around the use of PMCs, due to the concerns over sovereignty, legal control, and the potential destabilizing effects of private, unaccountable military forces. Ghana’s government structure is divided into three branches: Executive, legislative, and judicial. PMCs can be seen to undermine state sovereignty due to their private operation and not being controlled or part of the government. Accountability, transparency, separation of powers, and sovereignty of national security all become issues between private sectors and government officials contradicting democratic principles. Since PMCs operate outside of state-controlled military organizations like the Ghana Armed Forces, or the Ghana National Police Force, the government does not have full control and surveillance. The privately contracted PMCs might have contradicting military goals within the state’s borders. Which would be a violation of Ghana’s sovereignty for national security.
Ghana has implemented legislation such as the Arms and Ammunition Act, of 1972 which Controls the importation and use of firearms, ensuring PMCs follow strict licensing rules. As well as the Private Security Organizations Law, of 1986, the National Security Act, of 1999, and the Mercenary Act, of 2006. Additionally, Ghana collaborated with the United Nations at the UN Mercenary Convention to work Against the Recruitment, Use, Financing, and Training of Mercenaries in 1989. Ghana has also been a supporter of UN Peacekeeping Principles.
To proceed with the issue of PMC’s Ghana plans to Tightening Regulations on Private Security Firms. This way the government can oversee the PMCs and ensure they are not undermining human rights. Ghana is also planning to use PMCs for specialized roles such as training, logistical support, and peacekeeping operations rather than for direct combat.
Ghana does not want to completely get rid of the use of PMCs but rather have a supervised and controlled environment for them to operate. This way Ghana will maximize security and peace while keeping PMCs from violating human rights.
