Security analyst Richard Kumadoe has called for a radical shift in Ghana’s approach to small arms control, urging the government to move beyond blanket enforcement toward a sophisticated “segmentation” strategy.
Speaking following the Ministry of the Interior’s decision to extend the Gun Amnesty Programme (GAP) to January 30, 2026, Mr. Kumadoe argued that the proliferation of illicit firearms can only be halted if authorities recognize and regulate the vastly different categories of gun users across the country.
“These are the categories of people we are dealing with and each segregation needs to be managed properly. We have people whose legitimate job is to import guns into this country. I propose that there has to be enhanced due diligence in that regard.
“There are people who want to own a gun, but there have to be some serious background checks on them before they are allowed to own guns”
Richard Kumadoe, Security Analyst
The extension of the Gun Amnesty Programme, announced by Interior Minister Hon. Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, comes as the initial six-week window revealed a significant but incomplete surrender of unregistered weapons.
For Mr. Kumadoe, the extra two weeks provide a critical opportunity not just for retrieval, but for “surgical” engagement with specific groups – from traditional manufacturers to ceremonial armory keepers. He maintained that treating a local blacksmith the same as a commercial importer or a rural farmer holding a gun for self-protection is a strategic error that undermines national security.
Culture and Control
Adding to the call for better due diligence, Mr. Kumadoe highlighted a unique Ghanaian challenge: the use of firearms in traditional settings. He pointed out that many traditional authorities maintain historical armories for festivals and funerals, often leading to the indiscriminate discharge of weapons.
Rather than outright bans that may alienate traditional leaders, the analyst proposed a “formal accreditation” system.” According to him, this would allow the state to maintain an inventory of ceremonial weapons while ensuring they are only used by authorized individuals during sanctioned events.
“We need to work with the traditional authorities to ensure that we have accreditation papers for them. This will stop the indiscriminate use of guns at funerals and events”
Richard Kumadoe, Security Analyst
Mr. Kumadoe also turned his attention to the “traditional manufacturers” – the local blacksmiths whose craftsmanship often supplies the illicit market. He argued that these artisans cannot be ignored or simply criminalized; their operations must be brought into a monitored regulatory space where their skills are accounted for and their output is strictly controlled.
Persuasion Over Punishment
A significant portion of Mr. Kumadoe’s analysis focused on findings from the National Security Risks Assessment, which identified specific jurisdictions with unusually high concentrations of firearms.
In these areas, often plagued by chieftaincy disputes or land conflicts, Mr. Kumadoe believes that the threat of prosecution is a poor motivator for surrendering arms. Instead, he advocated for “alternative forms of reasoning,” and trust-building exercises to convince residents that their safety is better guaranteed by the state than by an unregistered rifle.
As the government enters the final stretch of the amnesty – branded under the theme “Silencing the Guns to Save Our Lives” – the security analyst is pushing for a heavy emphasis on grassroots outreach.
“What is important above all is to ensure that the standard procedure for people to bring in their arms is communicated broadly in terms of public education and awareness creation”
Richard Kumadoe, Security Analyst
He maintained that if the Ministry of the Interior does not use this extension to clarify surrendering procedures and build trust in hard-to-reach communities, the “firm and uncompromising,” operations scheduled for February may face stiff resistance.
That notwithstanding, the Ministry of the Interior has been clear: the Gun Amnesty Programme extension to January 30 is the final opportunity for compliance. After this date, the “window of grace,” will slam shut, replaced by intelligence-led “Joint Special Operations,” and targeted swoops aimed at retrieving remaining illicit hardware.
Kumadoe’s perspective provides a roadmap for what a successful post-amnesty Ghana could look like – one where regulation is nuanced and every gun, whether imported or locally made, is tied to a verified identity. He believes that the success of President Mahama’s security agenda depends on this ability to blend enforcement with empathy and education.
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