The Ministry of the Interior has begun intensive training for officers who will spearhead Ghana’s upcoming Gun Amnesty Programme, a national effort designed to reduce the circulation of illegal firearms and curb gun-related violence.
The training, officially opened by Deputy Minister Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi at the National Police Training School in Accra, marks the first major step toward preparing frontline personnel for the nationwide rollout. Participants are being equipped with practical field skills, safety protocols, and community-engagement strategies needed to guide the amnesty process and educate the public.
When the programme eventually goes live, Ghanaians will be given a confidential and penalty-free window to surrender or regularise illegal and unregistered firearms. Individuals who take part will not face arrest, questioning, or prosecution, a policy the ministry says is meant to encourage widespread cooperation.
Speaking at the opening session, Mr. Terlabi raised alarm over the rise in gun-related incidents in recent months, insisting that the country cannot afford to ignore the growing threat.
“This is not a trap. It is a national call to responsibility. We want to take dangerous weapons out of circulation and restore the sense of safety our communities deserve,” he emphasised.
He urged officers to maintain strict confidentiality, demonstrate professionalism, and win public trust, noting that the success of the programme depends largely on the conduct of those tasked with implementing it.
The Acting Executive Secretary of the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons, Dr. Adam Bonaa, described the workshop as one of the most significant preparatory steps taken toward a firearm amnesty initiative since independence. According to him, the trainees will be responsible for cascading the knowledge to district teams across the country.
The session brought together representatives from the Interior Ministry, police districts nationwide, and officials of the Small Arms Commission, signalling a coordinated national push ahead of the programme’s official launch.
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