Gun Amnesty Opens Before Crackdown on Illicit Arms

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The Government of Ghana has declared a determined war on the proliferation of illegal firearms across the country, with a strong warning to those possessing unregistered weapons to surrender them before it is too late.
This declaration was made in a keynote address presented on behalf of the Minister for the Interior, Hon. Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, by the Deputy Minister for the Interior, Hon. Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, at the opening of a Trainer-of-Trainers Workshop for the Gun Amnesty Programme (GAP) held at the Ghana Police Training School in Tesano, Accra.
The workshop brings together officers of the Ghana Police Service and the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons to prepare them with the technical and operational skills needed to implement the nationwide gun amnesty initiative.
Hon. Terlabi, delivering the Minister’s remarks, explained that the amnesty offers every person in possession of illegal or unregistered firearms a safe and lawful opportunity to surrender those weapons to security agencies without fear of interrogation, arrest, or prosecution during the amnesty period. He emphasized that anyone who willingly hands in their illicit firearm within the amnesty window will face no punishment or questioning before the opportunity closes.
He, however, cautioned that the government would launch a massive nationwide enforcement operation once the amnesty window ends. “This is a fair and patriotic chance for citizens to do the right thing,” he said. “But after the period expires, anyone found in possession of an illegal firearm will face the full force of the law.”
The Minister’s statement, read by Hon. Terlabi, highlighted the growing threat of illicit firearms in Ghana, noting that they have fueled an increase in armed robberies, chieftaincy and land disputes, and other violent crimes. He stressed that the government will no longer tolerate the uncontrolled circulation of illegal weapons that endanger peace and stability.
He also called on officers undergoing training to act with professionalism, confidentiality, and compassion in dealing with the public, emphasizing that they must serve as ambassadors of peace and trust to ensure the success of the Gun Amnesty Programme.
In addition, the Minister revealed that the proposed National Arms Bill, which aims to strengthen regulation and control of arms in the country, is in its final stages and will soon be submitted to the Attorney-General’s Department for consideration.
Hon. Terlabi concluded with a call to action: “Let us all take advantage of this opportunity to rid our communities of illegal guns and secure Ghana’s peace. Together, we can reclaim our nation from the threat of illicit arms.”

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