Gun Amnesty
The Gun Amnesty Programme is a national safety initiative launched by the Ministry of the Interior, in partnership with the Ghana Police Service (GPS) and the National Commission on Small Arms & Light Weapons (NACSA), to reduce the number of unlicensed and illegally held firearms across the country.
During the amnesty window—1st December 2025 to 30th January 2026—individuals can voluntarily surrender firearms and ammunition without fear of arrest or prosecution for unlawful possession at the time of surrender.
This programme aims to strengthen public safety, prevent crime, and reduce gun-related injuries by removing dangerous weapons from circulation.
Purpose of the Gun Amnesty Programme
Illegal and unregistered firearms play a major role in violent crime, armed robbery, domestic incidents, and accidental shootings. Many such weapons are inherited, found, or kept unknowingly in violation of firearm laws.
The Gun Amnesty Programme provides a safe, confidential, and penalty-free way for individuals to hand over these weapons.
By participating, you help:
Reduce armed violence
Prevent firearm accidents
Support law enforcement efforts
Improve community safety
Promote responsible weapon handling
Who Can Surrender a Firearm?
Anyone who possesses:
An unlicensed firearm
A firearm with expired documentation
Ammunition not tied to a licensed gun
A firearm found, inherited, or acquired informally
…may safely surrender it during the amnesty period without legal consequences.
How to Surrender a Firearm Safely
To ensure safety and compliance with the amnesty guidelines, follow these steps:
1. Conceal the firearm and ammunition securely
Use a bag, box, or sack. Do not carry firearms openly.
2. Separate the ammunition from the firearm
Place ammunition in a different bag from the gun.
3. Visit the nearest Police District station
Go to any station between 1st December 2025 and 15th January 2026.
4. Inform the officer on duty
State clearly that you are surrendering a firearm under the Gun Amnesty Programme.
5. Receive your official receipt
The police will record the firearm and issue a receipt as proof of surrender.
6. Keep the receipt safely
It serves as official documentation that you complied with the amnesty.
Your Contribution to National Safety
By surrendering unauthorized firearms, you help:
Protect families and communities
Reduce violent crime
Prevent accidental shootings
Promote peace and national security
The Ministry of the Interior, Ghana Police Service, and National Commission on Small Arms & Light Weapons encourage all citizens to take advantage of this opportunity to make Ghana safer.
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This month, NACSA, through its Northern Regional Office and in collaboration with the Ghana TVET Service, continued its public sensitisation campaign with engagements targeting the Carpenters Association at Vittin and women at the Sagnarigu Craft Hub in the Tamale Metropolis.
The sessions focused on raising awareness of the dangers of illicit SALWs and the growing threat posed by Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). Participants were educated on Ghana's firearms laws, the consequences of possessing illegal weapons, and the appropriate actions to take when encountering suspicious objects suspected to be IEDs.
Recognising the vital role of communities in preventing armed violence, facilitators encouraged participants to embrace peaceful conflict resolution, remain vigilant, and support security agencies by reporting suspicious persons, objects, and illicit weapons. Women were also encouraged to leverage their influence within families and communities to promote peace, discourage violence, and foster dialogue.
The interactive engagements provided a platform for participants to discuss pressing security concerns, including gun-related crime, youth unemployment, drug abuse, and the exploitation of women and children by violent extremist groups. Participants called for sustained public education, stronger law enforcement, and enhanced community partnerships to address the root causes of insecurity.
Through strategic collaboration and continuous public education, NACSA remains committed to empowering citizens with the knowledge needed to promote peace, strengthen community resilience, and build a safe, secure, and gun-violence-free Ghana.


