Security analyst and Executive Secretary of the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons, Dr. Adam Bonaa, has hinted that the Ministry for the Interior is preparing to declare a nationwide gun amnesty in the coming days.

According to Dr. Bonaa, the initiative, which has been under careful planning, aims to reduce the growing proliferation of small arms among civilians and curb the worrying surge in gun-related violence across the country.

“In the coming days — perhaps within a week or so — there’s going to be a declaration that has been well thought out and well planned by the Government of Ghana,” he disclosed. “It’s going to be an elaborate amnesty, the type we have not really seen in this country. The declaration will be made by the Honourable Minister for the Interior, and all the necessary processes are being finalised to ensure every box is checked.”

This development follows a recent attack in Garu, in the Upper East Region, where unknown gunmen opened fire on civilians at the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) office, leaving at least four people dead and several others in critical condition.

Mr Bonaa described the rising trend of gun incidents as alarming, noting that both the Small Arms and Light Weapons Commission and other security agencies have observed a significant increase in gun-related violence

"A lot is being done to curb these incidents and ensure that we nip them in the bud, to reduce and, if possible, eradicate them,” he assured.

He noted that recent arrests and police operations have highlighted the urgency of addressing the problem.

“You've seen the police swooping in to arrest bandits and criminals who specialise in robbing rural banks. Some armed robbers who have been terrorising communities using firearms have also been neutralised,” Dr. Bonaa added.