Gun Amnesty Programme Extended for Two Additional Weeks

The National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons (NACSA) has welcomed the decision by the Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak to extend the Gun Amnesty Programme (GAP) for an additional two weeks, running from 16th to 30th January, 2026. According to a statement issued on Saturday, January 17, the extension follows a positive public response to the initial amnesty period, which began on 1st December, 2025 and was originally scheduled to end on 15th January 2026. "The extension, which runs from 16th to 30th January, 2026, follows encouraging public response to the initial Gun Amnesty period, which commenced on 1st December, 2025 and was due to end on 15th January, 2026." The extra time aims to give individuals, particularly those in hard-to-reach communities, a final opportunity to voluntarily surrender or register unlicensed or illicit firearms without fear of interrogation, arrest, or prosecution. "This will provide further opportunity for individuals, especially in hard-to reach communities, to voluntarily surrender or register their unlicensed or illicit firearms without fear of interrogation, arrest, or prosecution," the statement read. NACSA emphasised that after 30th January, 2026, security agencies will intensify enforcement operations. Any person found in possession of unregistered or illicit firearms will face arrest and prosecution in accordance with Ghanaian law. The Commission also called on chiefs, traditional authorities, religious leaders, opinion leaders, community groups, and the media to continue promoting the programme and encouraging full participation within their communities. “The Gun Amnesty Programme provides Ghana a critical opportunity to reduce the proliferation of illicit firearms and curb the high incidence of gun-related violence and deaths. The time is now—let us silence the guns for our own safety,” NACSA stated in its release.