Ghana Police Service and the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons in the Upper West Region have recorded alarming increases in armed robbery, gun-related violence and unlawful possession of firearms in 2025.
According to official reports, 322 armed robbery cases were recorded in the first three quarters of the year, while murder cases rose to 342.
Unlawful possession of firearms reached 70 cases and deaths from gun-related incidents totalled 166.
The figures, officials say, underscore the growing threat that illicit small arms and gun-related violence pose to peace, security, and development in the region.
Charles Lwanga Puozuing, the Upper West Regional Minister, emphasised that these statistics represent real lives lost and communities destabilised.
He stressed the urgent need for collective action to tackle insecurity, announcing the launch of a six-week Gun Amnesty Initiative.
The amnesty, he explained, offers a window of opportunity for citizens in possession of illicit or unregistered firearms to surrender them voluntarily without fear of arrest or prosecution.
Beyond voluntary surrender, the Ministry of Interior, in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service and the Regional Security Councils, will conduct targeted operations to retrieve remaining illicit weapons and prosecute offenders under the law.
“This initiative underscores Ghana’s broader commitment to peace, order, and social cohesion,” Puozuing said, highlighting the national theme: “Silencing the Gun to Save Our Lives.”
The Regional Minister said the Gun Amnesty Initiative aims to reduce the number of illegal and unregistered firearms in circulation, encourage proper registration of weapons, deter criminal use and trafficking of small arms, and strengthen security mechanisms at both national and community levels.
To ensure the success of the initiative, the Council has engaged chiefs and traditional rulers, faith-based organizations, youth groups, community leaders and the media to raise awareness and ensure clarity on the program’s purpose and timelines.
He explained that secure surrender points have been designated across all Municipal and District Assemblies, with trained plain-clothes police personnel stationed at these points to confidentially receive and safeguard surrendered weapons.
Charles Lwanga Puozuing urged collaboration with REGSEC, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDCEs), chiefs and community leaders to ensure effective implementation and monitoring. He also appealed to the media for consistent and responsible reporting, emphasising that accurate information could determine the success or failure of the regional security effort.
“This is not about punishment; it is about protection. It is about ensuring that every Ghanaian lives in a community free from the threat of gun violence,” he said.
The Regional Minister further highlighted that the government, under the leadership of President Mahama, remains steadfast in its commitment to law and order, protecting lives and preserving the peace that defines Ghanaian communities.
He stressed that sustaining peace requires collective action, regional coordination, and grassroots advocacy, with the media playing a critical role in amplifying the message.
“The Upper West Region has long been known for its peace-loving and law-abiding citizens. Let us preserve this legacy by ensuring that no illicit firearm finds a place in our homes or communities,” Charles Lwanga Puozuing concluded.
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