Interior Minister Announces Tough Measures to Accompany Gun Amnesty

The Minister for the Interior, Hon. Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has outlined a series of strong measures to accompany the government’s newly declared gun amnesty program, aimed at curbing the proliferation of illicit firearms across the country.

The Minister emphasized that the Ghana Police Service and all security agencies will intensify operations to recover illegal arms, warning that those who refuse to surrender weapons during the amnesty period will be treated as criminals. “The consequences will be firm and uncompromising,” he stated.

The amnesty, running from December 1, 2025 to January 15, 2026, provides a six-week window for voluntary surrender of illicit arms without fear of arrest or prosecution. To ensure lasting impact, the following measures will accompany the initiative:

Suspension of new firearms permits for importation and sales during the amnesty period.
Temporary ban on the use of firearms in traditional celebrations, including funerals and festivals, regardless of whether the weapons are licensed or not.
Strict enforcement by regional ministers and chiefs, with ongoing dialogue to regulate firearms usage during cultural events.

The Minister noted that firearms have increasingly appeared at social gatherings, with pump-action guns, pistols, and even military-grade weapons such as AK-47s and G3 rifles being displayed at funerals and festivals. “We just want to silence the gun in these six weeks,” he said, urging communities to cooperate to avoid confrontation.

He appealed to traditional authorities and opinion leaders to support the ban, stressing that the government’s goal is to streamline and reduce the number of illicit arms in circulation. Beyond the amnesty period, the Ministry plans to continue engaging traditional leaders to regulate firearm use during cultural celebrations.

The initiative is expected to significantly reduce armed violence and reinforce Ghana’s commitment to peace and security.

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