Ghana Declares Tough Crackdown on Illegal Guns

  

Ghana has taken a decisive step toward tackling the growing threat of illicit firearms as the Minister for the Interior today announced the launch of a national Gun Amnesty Programme, backed by a series of sweeping security measures aimed at curbing gun violence.
Addressing government officials, security chiefs, NACSA board members, and the media, the Minister said the rising proliferation of unlawfully held firearms has become a serious national concern, fueling armed robbery, chieftaincy clashes, land disputes, domestic violence, and growing insecurity in many communities.
“Every illicit firearm in circulation is a silent threat,” he warned. “It may lie hidden under a bed or buried in the bush, but at any moment it can destroy lives and families forever.”
Gun Amnesty: A Window of Grace
The amnesty, which runs from 1st December 2025 to 15th January 2026, offers individuals holding unregistered or illegal firearms the opportunity to surrender them at designated collection points without arrest, interrogation, or prosecution. Those who voluntarily hand over weapons during the six-week window will be commended for contributing to national peace and safety.
But the Minister cautioned that once the amnesty period ends, security agencies will launch aggressive nationwide operations to recover illegal weapons. Anyone found with illicit arms after 15th January will face strict legal consequences. “Those who refuse this generous offer will be treated as criminals,” he said.
Extra Measures to Strengthen Arms Control
In addition to the amnesty, government is rolling out a package of comprehensive reforms, including:
Suspension of firearm importation, sale, and registration during the amnesty period
Temporary ban on firearm use in traditional celebrations
Continued dialogue with traditional leaders to guide firearm use during festivals
Strengthened border control to block arms trafficking
Post-amnesty joint security operations to retrieve illicit arms
Intensified swoops and searches in crime hotspots
The Ministry has already held technical planning sessions, engaged chiefs, regional ministers, ambassadors and arms dealers, and trained Amnesty Officials to ensure a smooth, professional rollout.
A National Call to Disarm
Describing the initiative as “life-saving,” the Minister called on chiefs, elders, religious leaders, community groups, and the media to rally the public behind the disarmament effort. He urged Ghanaians to choose peace over violence and protect the country’s long-standing reputation as a stable, secure nation.
“Our children deserve playgrounds, not battlegrounds,” he emphasized. “Our families deserve laughter, not funerals. Together, let us silence the guns—for our safety, for our children, and for our future.”
He ended with a powerful national appeal: “Guns Down, Ghana Up!”