The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has called for a united approach to tackling security challenges in the Ashanti Region, saying that local government leaders play a key role in maintaining peace and public safety.

He made the call while speaking at the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council’s New Year Retreat for Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in Kumasi. The retreat was held under the theme “Retreat, Re-organise, and Redirect Towards the Reset Agenda.”

The Minister underscored the responsibility of MMDCEs in ensuring security at the local level, warning that violent crime, particularly incidents involving firearms, remains a growing concern.

He urged the MMDCEs to actively support the Gun Amnesty Programme and other security initiatives aimed at reducing crime in their respective areas.

According to the Minister, Ghana’s crime index stood at 45.35 per cent in 2025, while gun-related incidents increased by 253 per cent within the same period. He said the worrying trend made decisive action urgent.

The Gun Amnesty Programme, which was launched on December 1, 2025, has been extended to January 30, 2026, following appeals from key stakeholders. The programme seeks to reduce the spread of small arms and light weapons, improve conflict management, and strengthen fire and rescue services.

He revealed that the programme has already recorded positive results, with support from civil society groups and traditional leaders who are backing efforts to retrieve illegal weapons.

He encouraged MMDCEs to take the lead in their communities by organising town hall meetings, working closely with chiefs, and promoting voluntary surrender of firearms. He also asked them to regularly report progress to the Ministry of the Interior.

The Minister further called on local authorities to strengthen collaboration with traditional leaders to address security concerns and support ongoing local security operations.

He assured the public of the Ministry’s commitment to implementing policies that respond effectively to security challenges and promote peace across the country.

The Minister also urged MMDCEs to work together and with all stakeholders to build a safer and more secure Ashanti Region and Ghana as a whole.