The National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons (NACSA) has engaged Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on the ongoing Gun Amnesty Programme (GAP) rolled out by government.
The programme, which began on December 1, 2025, under the theme “Silencing the Guns to Save Our Lives,” is expected to run until January 15, 2026.
Dr Adam Bonaa, Executive Secretary of NACSA, said the meeting was timely, as illicit firearms continued to fuel crime, conflict and insecurity across the country.
He said many of the weapons were held by civilians for personal protection, yet “often end up causing more harm than the safety they are meant to provide.”
Dr Bonaa said the GAP was voluntary, time‑bound and non‑punitive, offering individuals the opportunity to surrender illicit or unregistered firearms without fear of arrest or prosecution.
“The programme guarantees confidentiality and ensures the safe surrender of weapons and ammunition,” he said.
Dr Bonaa said complementary measures included a temporary ban on the use of firearms during traditional celebrations, restrictions on the importation and sale of firearms, a hold on new permits and registrations.
Other measures include plans for joint special operations, swoops, a reward system for informants, and the arrest and prosecution of offenders after the amnesty period.
Dr Bonaa said CSOs remained “trusted voices within communities,” well positioned to dispel fear and misinformation, address cultural concerns and support local‑level mobilisation and peace education.
He commended them for their commitment to peace and community safety and described their role as central to the successful implementation of the GAP.
Dr Bonaa urged CSO’s to support sensitisation efforts, build public confidence in the amnesty process, identify conflict‑prone communities and local influencers, and reinforce key messages that the amnesty was safe, confidential and non‑punitive.
“We call on you to champion the gun amnesty in your communities, work with NACSA to make this a national turning point toward a gun‑violence‑free, safe and peaceful Ghana,” he said.
Mr. Mohammed Gali Salam, Deputy Executive Secretary of NACSA, said the proliferation of small arms was a national security threat that no single institution could address alone.
“Small arms proliferation demands coordinated action across government, security agencies, civil society and the ordinary Ghanaian citizen,” he said.
Mr. Salam noted that incidents involving the misuse of small arms had risen sharply in recent years, with many crimes committed using unregistered weapons.
This informed the decision by the Ministry of the Interior, NACSA and the Ghana Police Service to declare the Gun Amnesty Programme.
Mr Salam said the engagement with CSOs was “consultative and collaborative,” aimed at informing stakeholders and learning from their community‑level experiences.
“Security interventions succeed when they reflect the realities of the communities they serve, so we welcome practical recommendations to refine the programme,” he said.
Reverend Carl Nii Anyetei Sowah, Acting Head of Communications at NACSA, provided an overview of the programme’s planning and implementation, including the establishment of steering and technical committees, development of awareness materials, nationwide officer training and extensive media engagements.
He stressed the importance of transparency, citing the receipt system, proper documentation and trained officers as essential to building public trust.
Rev Sowah said the programme’s theme and call‑to‑action slogan, reflected the national urgency of addressing gun violence, while the tagline “Guns Down!” captured the collective spirit needed for success.
He said NACSA and the Ministry of the Interior were working to address challenges such as inadequate funding, logistical gaps and the need for intensified community engagement, particularly in hotspot regions.
He assured that NACSA remained committed to transparency, collaboration and continuous engagement with CSOs to reduce illicit firearms and build safer communities across Ghana.
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