The government has announced a six-week amnesty period for citizens to surrender unregistered or illegally acquired firearms without facing arrest or prosecution. The move, aimed at removing illicit firearms from circulation and strengthening the country’s arms control regime, will run from December 1, 2025, to January 15, 2026.
Minister for the Interior Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak made the announcement at a press conference in Accra yesterday, urging the public to use this “window of grace”.
“Those who refuse this window of grace will be treated as criminals. The consequences will be firm and uncompromising,” the minister warned.
Surrender Safely, Prepare for Crackdown
During the amnesty period, designated collection centres staffed by trained officers will be set up in all districts nationwide to receive the weapons discreetly and safely.
Alhaji Mohammed-Mubarak emphasized the urgent need to address gun-related violence, stating that illicit arms are increasingly appearing in homes, workplaces, schools, and at traditional events.
“Every illicit firearm in circulation is a silent threat. At any moment, it can destroy lives and families forever. We cannot continue to bury our loved ones while the tools of violence remain unchecked,” he stressed.
Following the end of the amnesty on January 15, 2026, security agencies will intensify operations, including swoops, searches, and border enforcement, to recover any remaining illicit firearms and arrest offenders.
Temporary Ban on Gun Activities for Ministry Overhaul
To facilitate the crackdown and overhaul the system, the minister also announced a temporary suspension on the importation, sale, registration, and licensing of all firearms for the entire six-week period.
This suspension is intended to allow the ministry to clean up its records, audit existing licences, and transition to a fully digital system.
“We are not going to be licensing any new person during the six weeks. We want to take stock of those who already have licences, as we digitalise all firearm management processes at the ministry,” the minister explained.
The new digital platform will link firearm owners, licensed dealers, and Criminal Investigations Department (CID) offices to a central database, replacing the current paper-based system, which is vulnerable to fraud and human interference.
Tightening Rules for Traditional Events
The government is also taking measures to address the misuse of firearms during cultural events and festivals, where deaths have been reported.
A temporary ban will be placed on the use of firearms during traditional festivals and celebrations. Only trained and ministry-certified persons will be permitted to use firearms for these activities.
The minister said the ministry is engaging chiefs and traditional authorities to document and conduct background checks on all individuals authorised to discharge firearms during cultural events.
“We have seen too many instances where people die during celebrations. We are appealing to our traditional authorities to keep stock of all their arms and comply with the temporary silence,” he appealed.
Focus on Pump-Action Guns
Investigations have revealed particular weaknesses in the licensing regime for certain weapons, especially pump-action guns. The minister noted that registration for these had been decentralised and lacked the rigorous background checks required for sidearms.
“We found massive abuse in pump-action gun registration because it had been decentralised. We are tightening this to minimise human interference,” he said, adding that enhanced border patrols and strict dealer certification processes will be implemented to curb arms trafficking.
