By Francis Kobena Tandoh
A programme to retrieve unregistered, illicit firearms from members of the public was launched by the Minister for Interior, Hon. Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, on Tuesday.
Dubbed the ‘gun amnesty programme,’ the government is encouraging the voluntary surrender of unregistered guns and illicit firearms in the country.
Addressing a press conference in the national capital, Accra, the Interior Minister observed that the proliferation of unregistered guns and illicit firearms posed an existential threat to the people, hence the declaration of the program.
The amnesty programme, Hon. Mohammed-Mubarak emphasized, offers an opportunity for people in possession of illicit firearms to surrender them without being made to face prosecution between Dec. 1 this year and Jan. 15, 2026.
“The amnesty is a window of grace. It offers every law-abiding Ghanaian who holds an unregistered or illicit firearm the opportunity to surrender it without fear of interrogation, arrest, or prosecution,” said Hon. Mohammed-Mubarak.
He emphasized that all those who surrendered their weapons within the window of grace will be commended and recognized as patriots contributing to peace.
The Interior Minister outlined additional measures to strengthen gun amnesty in the country, including a six-week amnesty window for voluntary surrender of illicit firearms, suspension of firearm importation, sale, and registration during the period, and a temporary ban on the use of firearms in traditional celebrations.
The rest are dialogue with traditional authorities to regulate the firearm use during festivals, enhanced border security to prevent arms trafficking, joint security operations post-amnesty to retrieve illicit weapons, as well as intensified swoops and searches in crime hotspots and known criminal networks.
The proliferation of illicit weapons in Ghana is a significant national security concern, linked to a rise in gun-related violence, armed robberies, and communal conflicts. Enditem
Source: Ghana Eye Report
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