Filed by: Adams Musah Tinaa
A total of one hundred and one (101) guns have been retrieved by the Small Arms and Light Weapons Commission in the Upper West Region since the launch of the Gun Amnesty Programme. This was disclosed by the Regional Police Commander, DCOP Francis Yiribaare, following a Gun Amnesty walk in Wa on Saturday, December 20, 2025.
DCOP/Mr. Yiribaare believes that a lot more guns are in the region and urges citizens to surrender their weapons for registration during this window of opportunity provided by the government to control the use of guns.
He reminded residents of the region who want to surrender guns in their possession to feel free to do that at any nearest police station without fear of victimisation.
The Upper West Regional Minister, Charles Lwanga Puozuing, on his part, highlighted the importance of religious leaders and faith-based organizations, noting that their roles cannot be overstated. “They influence behavior and speak to the moral conscience of society,” he stated.
The Minister indicated there is a need for them to support the Gun Amnesty initiative by helping to demystify misconceptions, encourage voluntary compliance, and reinforce the message that peace is a shared moral obligation. He maintained that “peace is not sustained by law alone; instead, it is sustained by people, by informed leaders, vigilant institutions, and communities that choose dialogue over violence and responsibility over fear.”
The government through the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons is committed to reducing the circulation of illicit arms and ammunition in the country. The Commission’s approach is anchored in awareness creation, community engagement, and collaboration with faith-based organizations. It is on this score that the Gun Amnesty Programme (GAP) was launched.
The objective of the GAP, themed “Silencing the guns to save our lives,” is to provide every law-abiding Ghanaian who holds an unregistered or illicit firearm the opportunity to surrender it without fear of interrogation, arrest, or prosecution. This initiative aims to ultimately reduce the volume of illicit arms in circulation in the country.
