The Minister for the Interior, Hon. Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has declared a nationwide gun amnesty program accompanied by sweeping measures to curb the proliferation of illicit firearms and strengthen public safety.
The Minister warned that unregistered weapons have infiltrated homes, workplaces, schools, and social gatherings, fueling armed robbery, violent disputes, land conflicts, and domestic violence. “Every firearm surrendered is one less tool of destruction, one less weapon in the hands of criminals and one more step towards a peaceful Ghana,” he said.
The amnesty period, running from December 1, 2025 to January 15, 2026, will allow citizens to voluntarily surrender illicit arms without fear of arrest or prosecution. To ensure lasting impact, the government has outlined additional measures:
- Suspension of new firearms permits for importation and sales during the amnesty window.
- Temporary ban on firearms at traditional celebrations, including funerals and festivals, regardless of licensing status.
- Training for palace gunmen and ceremonial shooters to prevent accidents during cultural events.
- Enhanced border security with advanced weapon detection systems to prevent trafficking.
- Post-amnesty security operations to retrieve illicit weapons, prosecute offenders, and intensify sweeps in criminal hotspots.
- Consultative engagement with chiefs, regional ministers, ambassadors, arms dealers, and opinion leaders.
- Public sensitization campaigns, with media owners invited to partner in raising awareness nationwide.
- Training of amnesty officials to uphold professionalism and integrity.
The Minister stressed that the initiative is neither a witch hunt nor a symbolic gesture, but a life-saving program designed to protect families and communities. He appealed to chiefs, elders, pastors, imams, opinion leaders, and the media to amplify the message and encourage voluntary disarmament.
“Ghana’s destiny is too precious to be stolen by bullets. Our children deserve playgrounds, not battlegrounds. Our families deserve laughter, not funerals. And our beloved nation deserves peace, not gun violence,” he declared, urging citizens to seize the moment of national decision.
The government hopes the amnesty will silence the gun, reaffirm Ghana’s reputation as a beacon of peace and stability in Africa, and safeguard the future of its people.
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