Government has hinted at “a gun amnesty in the coming days or weeks,” which will allow possessors of illegal firearms to hand them over to the authorities without consequences.
The move has been necessitated because government “is deeply concerned about the increasing proliferatior of illicit firearms and the high incidence of gun related violence in the country,” and in view of “a number of policy actions proposed by the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons”.
This was communicated via a National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons statement dated Monday, October 27, 2025, and signed by Dr Adam A.A. Bonaa, Executive Secretary of the commission.
“For some time now, illicit firearms have crept quietly into our homes, markets, streets, social gatherings and traditional celebrations.
“They have turned small quarrels into funerals, land disputes into wars, misunderstandings into gun fights, and traditional celebrations into mourning. These illicit firearms are gradually writing stories of fear, death, crime, sorrow and regret in our societies. It is, therefore, time for our collective action to end these sad stories,” the statement noted.
In June, Ghanaian social media influencer Hayford ‘GH Kobby’ Boateng was arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of his girlfriend who was widely known as Philipa Yaa Baby or Shuga. GH Kobby is said to have taken a firearm from his luxury car while they were in Seker, a suburb of Yeji, Pru East District, Bono East Region, intending to fire celebratory shots into the air. When the firearm went off, however, it struck Philipa in her left arm. The incident was widely reported as an accidential shooting.
See the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons statement in its entirety below:
GUN AMNESTY IS COMING
The Government of Ghana and the Minister for the Interior is deeply concerned about the increasing proliferatior of illicit firearms and the high incidence of gun related violence in the country.
To fight this growing canker, the Minister for the Interior is considering a number of policy actions proposed by the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons which includes the declaration of a gun amnesty in the coming days or weeks.
For some time now, illicit firearms have crept quietly into our homes, markets, streets, social gatherings and traditional celebrations. They have turned small quarrels into funerals, land disputes into wars, misunderstandings into gun fights, and traditional celebrations into mourning. These illicit firearms are gradually writing stories of fear, death, crime, sorrow and regret in our societies. It is, therefore, time for our collective action to end these sad stories.
Under the Ileadership of the Hon. Minister for the Interior, and with support from the Ghana Police Service, the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons as well as the allied Security Agencies, the Governmens of Ghana will soon declare a Gun Amnesty Programme for any person in possession of an unregistered or illicit firearm to surrender it without facing arrest, interrogation, or prosecution. No que stions vill be asked, no charges will be pressed during the period; just freedom and peace offered to all,
This w ill be a chance for every citizen in possession of an unregistered or illicit firearm to surrender it, walk free and help make Ghana safer for all. This is not a witch hunt, neither is it focused on prosecution. It is simply about saving lives, preventing tragedy, and giving every Ghanaian the chance to choose peace over violence.
We are, therefore, caling on all Ghanaians who have illicit firearms whether hidden at home, buried on a farm, or kept “just in case” to prepare now. Get ready to hand it in when the time comes. Each weapon surrendered will bes one less instrument of fear, one less threat to our children’s safety, and one more step toward a peaceful Ghana.
When you surrender your gun, you are not giving up power: you are reclaiming peace. You are protecting lives, including your own. You are saying “No” to gun crime, “No to gun violence”, and “Yes” to Ghana,
Talk to your families, talk to your neighbours and tell your ftiends that a Gun Amnesty is coming. Let’s act together when the amnesty is finally declared. Let’s show the world that Ghana chooses peace, freedom, unity and hope over gun violence.
Gun amnesty is coming, so get ready to surrender your firearm to secure your own future!
