The Ghana National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons is cautioning parents against buying toy guns for their children, especially during the festive season, warning that such playthings could normalize violence and expose young people to real dangers.
The advice follows a disturbing incident in the Amansie Central District of the Ashanti Region. On January 23, 2026, police in Bepotenten Sukuum seized a pump-action gun from a 15-year-old boy. When officers instructed the boy to alert the owner to present proper documentation at the police station, a clash broke out, leaving one person dead and another injured.
Speaking on Nhyira FM’s Kro Yi Mu Nsem, Mr. Gyebi Asante, Deputy Director of Policy, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation at the Commission, warned that toy guns can influence children’s perception of violence.
“The concern is that kids, especially boys, are often given toy guns as playthings, which can lead to a false sense of familiarity with real guns. If their parents accidentally leave a real firearm unsecured, the child might mistake it for a toy and handle it, with potentially disastrous consequences,” he said.
Mr. Asante urged parents to opt for non-violent toys that encourage healthy play and development, stressing that this can help shape safer and more responsible mindsets in children.
He also highlighted the importance of responsible gun ownership, calling on licensed firearm holders to secure their weapons properly. “Licensed gun owners must take responsibility for storing their firearms in safe, locked places to prevent children from accessing them,” he noted.
Beyond households, Mr. Asante called on the Ghana Police Service to ensure that licensed arms dealers strictly adhere to regulations. He criticized the practice of some dealers openly displaying guns in markets and selling ammunition without verifying permits.
“The shops of licensed gun dealers are supposed to be private magazines, not open stalls. Some dealers don’t even bother checking if buyers have permits. They should remember, if someone uses a gun or bullet to kill, they’ll be partly responsible too,” he cautioned.
The Commission’s warning comes as Ghana continues efforts to curb the proliferation of small arms and prevent gun-related violence, particularly among the youth.
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