The Government of Ghana, through the Ministry of the Interior and the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons (NACSA), has announced plans to introduce a nationwide gun amnesty in the coming days to address the rising spread of illicit firearms and growing gun-related violence across the country.
In a statement released by NACSA dated Monday October 27, the Commission expressed concern over the increasing use of unregistered weapons, which it says have turned minor disputes and social gatherings into violent confrontations and tragedies. The Commission warned that illegal guns are becoming a major threat to national peace and security.
The upcoming Gun Amnesty Programme will give individuals in possession of unregistered or illegal firearms the opportunity to surrender them voluntarily without fear of arrest, interrogation, or prosecution. During the amnesty period, anyone who turns in a weapon will not face charges, as the initiative focuses on peacebuilding rather than punishment.
According to NACSA, the programme will be implemented under the leadership of the Minister for the Interior, in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service and other security agencies. It is intended to promote national safety and reduce the number of illicit firearms in circulation.
“This is not a witch hunt or a move to prosecute anyone,” the statement emphasised. “It is about saving lives, preventing tragedy, and giving Ghanaians a chance to choose peace over violence.”
The Commission urged all citizens who have hidden, buried, or stored unregistered firearms to prepare to hand them over once the amnesty officially begins. It added that every gun surrendered represents “one less instrument of fear and one more step toward a peaceful Ghana.”
NACSA further called on the public to spread awareness about the initiative, stressing that national unity and cooperation are key to ending the culture of gun violence.
For more information, the public can contact the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons at 059 907 0944.
