Ghana Destroys Over 4,000 Illicit Firearms in 8th National Arms Destruction Ceremony
The Government of Ghana has destroyed more than 4,000 illicit firearms as part of efforts to curb the proliferation of small arms and promote national security.
The exercise was carried out during the 8th National Arms Destruction Ceremony held at the National Police Training School, Tesano, on United Nations Small Arms Destruction Day.
Held under the theme “Silencing the Guns Through Destruction for a Peaceful, Safe and Gun-Violence-Free Ghana,” the ceremony underscored the state’s determination to permanently remove illegal weapons from circulation and strengthen public safety.
Delivering the keynote address, Chief of Staff at the Presidency, Hon. Julius Debrah, reaffirmed government’s commitment to peace and security.
He stated that illicit arms have no place in Ghanaian society because they fuel violent extremism, chieftaincy conflicts, and other criminal activities.
He assured the public that the destroyed weapons would never re-enter society and urged Ghanaians to reject the culture of silence by reporting suspected illegal arms to security agencies.
Minister for the Interior, Hon. Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, also stressed that security is a shared responsibility. He reaffirmed government’s resolve to strengthen border security and intelligence-led operations to prevent the flow of illicit weapons into the country.
Executive Secretary of the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons, Dr. Adam A. A. Bonaa, said the arms destruction programme is critical to advancing national security and meeting Ghana’s international arms control obligations.
Speaking on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, Director-General of the National Patrols Department, COP Mohammed Fuseini Suraji, reaffirmed the Ghana Police Service’s commitment to combating illegal arms trafficking.
He also commended citizens who voluntarily surrendered unlicensed firearms during the 2025 Gun Amnesty Programme.
Speaking on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, Director-General of the National Patrols Department, COP Mohammed Fuseini Suraji, reaffirmed the Ghana Police Service’s commitment to combating illegal arms trafficking.
He also commended citizens who voluntarily surrendered unlicensed firearms during the 2025 Gun Amnesty Programme.
The event climaxed with the symbolic cutting and destruction of the seized firearms.
Among those in attendance were Deputy Minister for Defence, Hon. Ernest Brogya Genfi; Vice Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Defence and Interior, Hon. Peter Lanchene Toobu; Chief of the Army Staff, Major General Lawrence Kwaku Gbetanu; National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu; heads of security agencies, members of the diplomatic corps, traditional leaders and other distinguished guests.
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