The Ministry of the Interior has clarified that the upcoming national gun amnesty exercise is not a strategy to arrest firearm owners but a deliberate step by the government to ensure national safety and control the circulation of illegal weapons.
The Ministry made this known through the Deputy Minister for the Interior, Hon. Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, during a training session for officers at the Ghana Police Training School in Tesano, Accra.
Hon. Terlabi explained that the exercise seeks to encourage citizens in possession of unregistered firearms to voluntarily surrender them without fear of intimidation or arrest, noting that the government’s commitment to reducing the number of unlicensed weapons in circulation requires trust and cooperation from all Ghanaians.
“I want to use this platform to allay the fears and concerns of the public that the amnesty is not a trap or a ploy to identify and arrest those who surrender their unregistered firearms. Let me state emphatically again, it is not.
“The government’s intention is purely to give every citizen with no criminal intent the opportunity to do the right thing by handing over such firearms to the right authorities”
Hon. Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, Deputy Minister for the Interior
The Deputy Interior Minister, in his briefing, maintained that the gun amnesty exercise is one of several measures being implemented to strengthen arms control and prevent the misuse of firearms in the country. He urged all eligible citizens to take advantage of the exercise, describing it as an opportunity to promote safer communities nationwide.
Hon. Terlabi however noted that the success of the initiative will depend on the “professionalism of security officers and the amnesty officials,” who will be deployed, urging them to handle the process with patience and integrity. He stressed that their conduct should reassure the public of the government’s genuine intentions.
“Ghanaians must see you not as enforcers coming to punish, but as partners helping them to make the right choice for their own safety and that of their communities,” Hon. Terlabi explained as he called on all officers to maintain respect for every individual they encounter, explaining that dignity and compassion are vital in gaining public confidence.
Strengthening Arms Control
Hon. Terlabi further announced that the National Arms Bill, which will regulate the possession and use of firearms in Ghana, is nearing completion and will soon be presented to the Office of the Attorney General.
The proposed law, he said, will provide a comprehensive legal framework for managing the country’s arms space and address the weaknesses in current regulations, pointing out that a clear and transparent approach will make the process credible and foster national cooperation.
He explained that the gun amnesty will act as a “transitional mechanism ahead of the new legislation,” providing citizens the unique opportunity to surrender illegal weapons without facing criminal charges.
The Deputy Interior Minister expressed confidence that with proper training, the participating officers will serve as trainers in their respective regions and districts to ensure the exercise is implemented effectively at all levels.
“Together, we can reclaim our dear nation from the threats of any mishaps and prevent future tragedies,” Hon. Terlabi said. He encouraged citizens to support the initiative, assuring that it is guided by the principles of transparency, confidentiality, and public interest.
The Deputy Minister reaffirmed that the gun amnesty is purely a safety-driven initiative intended to safeguard communities, reduce illegal weapons, and rebuild public confidence in state security mechanisms.
He described the exercise as a cornerstone of the government’s broader effort to promote safety and stability under President John Dramani’s administration.
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