Ghana Extends Gun Amnesty to Jan 30 for Public Safety

Ghana is extending a lifeline to anyone holding an unregistered firearm, offering two more weeks to surrender weapons without consequences.

The Ministry of the Interior announced Thursday that its Gun Amnesty Programme will now run through January 30, 2026. The original deadline of January 15 has been pushed back after chiefs, religious leaders, and community groups asked for more time to reach people in remote areas.

Since launching on December 1, the program has sparked widespread cooperation across Ghana. Traditional authorities and civil society organizations reported that many people, particularly in hard-to-reach communities, needed additional time to come forward without fear.

The amnesty works simply: anyone can surrender or register unlicensed firearms without interrogation, arrest, or prosecution. People who already started the registration process during the initial window will have time to complete their paperwork.

But this extension represents the final opportunity. After January 30, law enforcement will launch intelligence-led operations to retrieve illegal weapons. Anyone caught with an unregistered firearm after that date will face arrest and prosecution.

The Ripple Effect

Every weapon turned in creates safer streets, schools, and homes across Ghana. When communities voluntarily disarm, they're not just following the law. They're choosing to protect their neighbors, their children, and Ghana's hard-earned reputation as a peaceful West African nation.

The program has already strengthened trust between citizens and authorities. By offering grace instead of punishment, the government has shown that public safety doesn't have to come through force alone.

The Ministry emphasized this isn't a witch-hunt but a life-saving national exercise. Chiefs, elders, youth groups, and media outlets are being called to encourage full compliance within their communities.

"Every firearm surrendered is one less threat to lives and livelihoods," the Ministry stated, urging Ghanaians to "silence the guns for our own safety." The message is spreading through mosques, churches, and community centers nationwide, building momentum for a safer future.

Ghana is proving that sometimes the bravest choice is simply letting go of weapons and choosing peace instead.