The Ministry of the Interior has announced a crucial nationwide initiative, granting all citizens a six-week window to surrender any unregistered or illicitly held firearms. The mandate is firm: those who fail to comply by the deadline of January 15, 2026, will face severe legal consequences.
The directive, which commenced on December 1, 2025, is the centerpiece of a comprehensive, urgent plan to combat the rising tide of gun violence and curb the proliferation of illegal arms across the country.
Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, officially launched the Gun Amnesty Initiative, underscoring its dual purpose: security and safety.
“We are offering a safe passage,” Minister Mohammed-Mubarak stated. “This initiative provides a clean, risk-free opportunity for every citizen to hand over unregistered weapons without fear of prosecution. It is an essential step toward making our environment safer and more secure for all Ghanaians.”
He warned that while the amnesty period is generous, the enforcement following the deadline will be uncompromising. “Anyone found in possession of illegal weapons after January 15, 2026, will be subjected to the most stringent punishment the law allows,” the Minister stressed.
The core goal of the six-week exercise is to drastically reduce the number of illegal weapons in circulation, which officials cite as a major factor in escalating gun-related incidents nationwide.
In a related measure, the Ministry has also announced a temporary ban on the use of firearms during traditional festivities that fall within the amnesty period (December 1, 2025, to January 15, 2026).
This specific measure is designed to eliminate the common practice of celebratory gunfire, which frequently results in accidental injuries and loss of life in communities. The Minister urged traditional leaders and community heads to ensure strict adherence to this temporary ban for the sake of public safety.
The Ministry of the Interior is appealing to the public to take immediate advantage of the amnesty period and assist the government in its commitment to disarmament and national security.