Ghana’s Gun Amnesty Programme Offers Legal Immunity for Surrendered Firearms
Ghana’s National Commission on Small Arms (NACSA) has launched a Gun Amnesty Programme to encourage the surrender of unregistered or illegally held firearms. The initiative, running from December 1, 2025, to January 15, 2026, guarantees no legal penalties for those who voluntarily hand in weapons. To boost participation, the National Chief Imam has been named as the campaign’s official ambassador.
The programme was officially introduced with a key event on December 26, 2025, at the National Mosque in Accra. Dr Adam Bonaa, NACSA’s Executive Secretary, formally engaged the Chief Imam as the Gun Amnesty Ambassador during the ceremony. He also urged citizens to surrender unlicensed firearms, assuring them they would face no arrest or questioning for doing so.
Efforts to spread the message have expanded beyond mosques. The campaign now includes churches, traditional leaders, and chieftaincy institutions across the country. This wider outreach aims to ensure all communities understand the amnesty’s benefits. So far, the Greater Accra Region has recorded the highest number of surrendered firearms. For those who wish to keep their weapons legally, NACSA has set up clear procedures to register firearms after they are surrendered.
The amnesty period will close on January 15, 2026. Those who hand in unregistered firearms before then will avoid prosecution. The programme’s success will depend on continued public cooperation and the involvement of community leaders.
