NACSA Entreats Traditional Leaders to Ban Firearms at Festivals and Events

The National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons (NACSA) has entreated traditional authorities to ban the display and use of firearms at traditional events and festivals.

The Commission justified its request, recollecting how the misuse of firearms at festivals had claimed lives and maimed others.

“The Commission is respectfully calling on all traditional leaders to immediately place a ban on the display and use of firearms in this year’s celebrations and festivities to prevent injuries and the loss of innocent lives, bearing in mind that a firearm can accidentally take away the life of anyone, including our chiefs.”

It disclosed a proposed Arms Bill which would strengthen regulations to better monitor and control the use of firearms during traditional festivals.

However, it noted that an immediate ban remains urgently necessary to protect communities and prevent needless loss of lives while maintaining the sanity and joy associated with it.

It is also committed to collaborating with traditional leaders, communities, civil society organisations and security agencies to raise awareness on the dangers of firearms misuse, while advancing efforts to strengthen national regulations in line with international best practices.

The recent shooting incident at a festival was during the violent clashes at the Kpokpoi sprinkling ceremony, at Teshie on August 27, 2025, which claimed two lives and left several others injured.

It followed the death of a Queen mother who was shot accidentally at her installation ceremony, and the near loss of sight of a seasoned journalist during the celebration of a traditional festival.

Story by Hajara Fuseini

Click to read more: https://opemsuo.com/author/hajara-fuseini/