Deputy Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Dr Munawaru Issahaque, has urged students to report colleagues who possess guns or weapons in school. 

He said this would help protect lives and foster a safe, violence-free learning environment. 

Dr Issahaque made the call at the launch of the “Sav Schools Outreach Programme” at O'Reilly Senior High School in Accra.  

The initiative is led by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Ghana in partnership with the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCSALW). 

The programme aims to raise awareness about the dangers of violence and small arms proliferation, while empowering students to serve as peace ambassadors in their schools and communities. 

Dr Issahaque said students must be educated on the risks associated with small arms to enable them to share the message with peers, families, and communities. 

He called for partnerships between schools, law enforcement, and civil society to address the issue, and urged the creation of safe spaces for dialogue. 

“You are the voices that can shift attitudes, challenge the status quo, and inspire action. When you advocate for safer schools, you are sending a powerful message that every life matters, that violence has no place in our future,” he said. 

UNDP Ghana’s Head of Inclusive Growth and Accountable Governance, Dr Edward Ampratwum, advocated a multi-stakeholder approach to curb violence, including swift legislative reforms on arms control and increased support for the Commission. 

He encouraged teachers, parents, civil society, and faith-based organisations to promote non-violence in schools, enforce codes of conduct, and mentor at-risk youth. 

He added that every child deserved a safe and nurturing environment and urged students to become advocates for non-violence. 

Coordinator for the West Africa Network on Small Arms and Light Weapons, Ghana, Francis Ameyibor, called for the swift passage of the new Firearms Regulation Bill to address rising weapon misuse. 

He urged students to speak out against violence and bullying, support affected peers and promote conflict resolution and non-violent communication. 

The event also saw the inauguration of the Students Against Violence Club at O'Reilly Senior High School.  

The club will lead awareness campaigns, promote peaceful conflict resolution, and serve as a peer advocacy platform for responsible behaviour.