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Under the Interior Ministry’s gun amnesty program, about 2,000 guns have been turned in nationwide, according to Dr. Adam Bonaa, Executive Secretary of the National Small Arms and Light weapons Commission.
The Interior Ministry’s decision to prolong the amnesty period from January 15 to January 30, 2026, was followed by this notification.
“In my opinion, a few thousand. Clearly, that indicates more than 2,000. In an interview on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, Dr. Bonaa stated, “We have obtained thousands of weapons since December 1.
He underlined that police and military-grade weapons must be turned over to the state for confiscation and cannot be regularized.
“Weapons such as AK-47s, G-series, and M-series rifles are strictly for state security officials. Civilians cannot use them, and they must be surrendered for confiscation or destruction if necessary.”
In order to stop attempts to evade the law, security personnel are on high alert at ports, airports, and borders, according to Dr. Bonaa.
“All border checkpoints, airports, and terminals are on high alert due to the amnesty declaration,” he stated.
He clarified that the most frequently turned-in weapons are sidearms, especially handguns, followed by firearms made domestically.
“From the initial trend analysis, pistols dominate, both imported and locally manufactured. These appear to be leading the surrender patterns.”
He emphasized that Greater Accra presently has the highest number of ammunition turned in, making it the region that is in compliance. He urged people who are reluctant to approach police stations to go to the Small Arms Commission instead.
“When it comes to surrendered illicit weapons brought in for regularization, Greater Accra is leading.”
There are an estimated 2.3 million small arms and light weapons in use in Ghana, of which 1.2 million are lawfully registered and 1.1 million are not.
The administration extended the gun amnesty period by two weeks, concluding on January 30, 2026, in response to petitions from stakeholders.
Dr. Bonaa reaffirmed that enforcement agents will apply the law without mercy if the amnesty expires.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
