The Upper West Regional House of Chiefs has expressed its commitment to supporting the implementation of the “Gun Amnesty” initiative, recognising the dangers that the proliferation of illicit small arms pose to the country’s peace and security.
It said peace and security were paramount in achieving development.
The chiefs pledged to use their authority as traditional leaders to support the initiative as a collective effort to rid communities of illegal firearms and prevent future violence.
Naa Puowelle Karbo III, the President of the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs, gave the assurance in Wa during an engagement with the House by the Upper West Regional Minister on the “Gun Amnesty”.
The engagement aimed to inform the House about the initiative to be launched by the Ministry of the Interior on November 11, 2025, and to seek their support for its successful implementation.
The “Gun Amnesty” is a government initiative, through the Ministry of the Interior, to encourage all persons in Ghana to register or surrender their firearms as part of efforts to sustain national peace.
“This policy initiative is a vital step towards peace, security, stability in our region, which is a shared responsibility between governments and traditional leaders.
As traditional authorities, we must work hand-in-hand to ensure the success of this program”, Naa Karbo III, also the Paramount Chief of the Lawra Traditional Area, explained.
He said the chiefs would use their traditional structures to deepen public engagement and sensitise communities to register or surrender their weapons for public safety.
The revered chief called on traditional leaders in the region to take advantage of the initiative to sensitise their communities to its importance and the potential consequences of holding illegal arms after the exercise ends.
Charles Lwanga Puozuing (Esq), the Upper West Regional Minister, described the initiative as not merely a government policy, but “a national call to conscience, a call to disarm for peace, to protect our communities, and to secure our future.”
He indicated that all persons willing to register their guns within the six-week amnesty period would follow due process to register them without fear of intimidation, arrest, or prosecution.
Mr Puozuing said it was in the interest of gun owners to register their weapons to enable them own and use them lawfully within the country, and to prevent any potential illicit use of those weapons.
The Minister warned that any person who failed to register or surrender his or her gun would face the law when apprehended with an illicit weapon.
“Once the six-week period elapses, the Ministry of the Interior, in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service and other security agencies, will embark on a joint recovery operation to retrieve any remaining illicit arms.
Those found in violation thereafter will face prosecution under the law”, Mr Puozuing explained.
GNA
