Minister for the Interior, Honourable Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has announced a nationwide gun amnesty programme running from December 1, 2025, to January 15, 2026.
The initiative forms part of government’s broader strategy to reduce the circulation of unregistered and unlawfully held firearms across the country.
Speaking at a press briefing on November 18, the Minister warned of the dangers posed by illicit weapons, stressing that they continue to fuel violent crimes and conflicts both in public spaces and within communities.
“These weapons unregistered and unlawfully held are fueling armed robbery, violent disputes, chieftaincy and land conflicts, and domestic violence. They turn minor disagreements into bloodshed and pit communities against each other. They rob us of fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters lives that should be shaping the future of Ghana,” he said.
The Minister revealed alarming crime statistics: “In 2024 there were 1219 reported robbery cases and 552 murder cases. As of July this year there were 628 and 340 robbery and murder cases respectively.”
He explained that after consultations with the Ghana Police Service, the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons (NACSA), and other stakeholders, government resolved to declare the amnesty. “That is why, after broad consultations with the Ghana Police Service, the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons, our security agencies, traditional leaders, religious organizations, and civil society, the Government has resolved to declare a Gun Amnesty.”
Describing the initiative as compassionate but urgent, the Minister said: “This 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. From 1st December 2025 to 15th January 2026, any person who voluntarily hands over such weapons at designated collection points will be commended, not condemned.”
He cautioned that those who fail to comply will face strict enforcement after the amnesty period. “But let me be clear: when this amnesty period ends, the law will take its full course. The Ghana Police Service and all security agencies will intensify operations to recover illicit arms. Those who refuse this generous offer will be treated as criminals, and the consequences will be firm and uncompromising.”
The Minister outlined accompanying measures, including suspension of new firearm import and sales permits, a temporary ban on the use of firearms in traditional celebrations, enhanced border security, post-amnesty joint operations to retrieve illegal weapons, and intensified swoops in crime-prone areas.
Preparatory steps such as consultations with chiefs, regional ministers, ambassadors, arms dealers, and opinion leaders, as well as sensitisation campaigns and training of officials, have already been undertaken.
Calling for national cooperation, Honourable Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak urged leaders and the media to help spread the message. “I call upon our chiefs, elders, pastors, imams, opinion leaders, community associations, and the media to amplify this message. Encourage your communities to surrender illicit firearms.”
He ended his address with a rallying call: “Guns down, Ghana up!”
