Interior Minister Announces Nationwide Ban and Amnesty on Illegal Firearms

Ghana is taking a decisive step to address the growing issue of illegal firearms in the country.

The Interior Minister, Muntaka Mubarak, has declared a six-week national gun amnesty aimed at removing illicit weapons from homes, public spaces, and communities. The Minister emphasized that illegal firearms are increasingly being found in schools, workplaces, funerals, and public festivals, fueling incidents of armed robbery, homicide, and violent disputes.

According to Minister Mubarak, every illegal firearm represents a “silent threat” with the potential to devastate families at any moment.

In a press briefing on November 18, 2025, the Minister shared concerning statistics. In 2024, Ghana recorded 1,219 cases of robbery and 552 homicides. By July of this year, the country had already experienced 628 robberies and 340 murders, many of which involved illegal firearms.

To address this growing concern, the government is offering an opportunity for the public to surrender unregistered firearms between December 1, 2025, and January 15, 2026, without fear of arrest or legal repercussions. Individuals who voluntarily turn in their weapons will be recognized as patriots contributing to the nation’s safety.

**Amnesty and Restrictions on Gun Use at Public Events**

During the six-week amnesty period, the government will enforce a ban on all gun use at funerals, festivals, and public celebrations. What were once customary displays of gunpowder have escalated in recent years, with firearms ranging from pump-action shotguns to AK-47s and G3 rifles being fired at events.

Minister Mubarak stressed that while the government does not seek to conflict with traditional leaders, it is essential that no firearms are visible during this period of national reconciliation.

After the amnesty concludes, the government plans to collaborate with traditional authorities to provide training and regulation for those managing ceremonial gunpowder, ensuring that cultural practices can be maintained safely and in line with national security standards.

**Enhanced Security Measures and Public Awareness Campaigns**

In addition to the gun amnesty, Minister Mubarak outlined new security measures aimed at curbing the flow of illegal weapons into the country. Border inspections will be enhanced with the use of advanced weapon-detection technology, moving beyond traditional metal detectors. Following the amnesty period, law enforcement agencies will ramp up efforts to recover illegal firearms and apprehend offenders, focusing particularly on areas with high levels of criminal activity, gang operations, and organized crime networks.

The government is also implementing public awareness campaigns, holding consultations with chiefs and regional ministers, and organizing training sessions for officers managing the amnesty program to ensure its success.

Minister Mubarak called on chiefs, religious leaders, community influencers, and the media to help spread the message. He urged citizens to consider the future of Ghana’s children, stressing that “our children deserve playgrounds, not battlegrounds, and our families deserve joy, not funerals.”

He concluded his statement with an appeal for unity and peace: “Guns down, Ghana up,” reminding all citizens that the foundation of a peaceful nation is built on the decisions we make today.