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The Acting Executive Secretary of the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons, Dr. Adam Adamu Alhassan Bonaa, has called on Ghanaians in possession of firearms to surrender them to the appropriate authorities before the national weapons amnesty expires on January 15, warning that failure to comply will attract strict legal sanctions.
The call forms part of the ongoing National Amnesty Campaign aimed at reducing the circulation of illegal firearms and improving public safety across the country. The campaign has been rolled out nationwide, with recent engagements held in the Volta Region.
According to Dr. Bonaa, the amnesty provides firearm holders with a lawful opportunity to hand over unregistered or illegally acquired weapons without facing arrest or prosecution. He stressed that the window for compliance will not be extended beyond the stated deadline.
“This is an opportunity for individuals to voluntarily surrender their firearms and avoid the consequences that will follow after the amnesty period,” Dr. Bonaa stated.
He noted that illegal firearms continue to contribute significantly to violent crimes and insecurity, making the success of the amnesty initiative critical to national peace and stability.
Dr. Bonaa warned that security agencies will step up enforcement operations after January 15, insisting that persons found in possession of illegal firearms will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
“Once the amnesty ends, the law will be enforced without hesitation, and anyone found with illegal weapons will face the full rigour of the law,” he cautioned.
He further appealed to traditional leaders, religious authorities and community influencers to support the campaign by encouraging compliance at the local level.
The National Amnesty Campaign seeks to sensitise the public on the dangers of illegal gun possession while fostering a culture of safety, responsibility and respect for the law.
Yaw Boagyan
