The Minister-Designate for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has raised alarm over the growing prevalence of illegal firearms in Ghana, describing it as a critical challenge to national security.
Speaking before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Friday, January 24, the Asawase Member of Parliament outlined a comprehensive strategy aimed at tackling the issue. His approach prioritizes retrieving unauthorized weapons and fostering voluntary cooperation from citizens.
Central to his proposal is the introduction of an amnesty program, which would provide an opportunity for individuals to surrender illegal firearms without the risk of prosecution. Additionally, Muntaka suggested implementing a firearms-for-cash scheme to incentivize the voluntary handover of weapons.
Muntaka stressed the urgent need to address the circulation of illegal firearms, highlighting their role in escalating violent crimes, armed robberies, and communal conflicts. He emphasized that combating this issue is not solely the responsibility of law enforcement but also a step toward fostering peace and security.
“Ensuring public safety requires a collaborative effort to disarm and protect our communities,” he remarked, underlining the importance of a unified approach.
If confirmed, Muntaka’s plan reflects a firm resolve to reduce the spread of illegal firearms and strengthen Ghana’s security framework. He assured, “With my team, we will focus on recovering illegal firearms. Some individuals may hold these weapons but hesitate to surrender them out of fear, despite no longer needing them.”
To ease these concerns, he proposed introducing a grace period for amnesty and exploring options like exchanging firearms for cash or other forms of compensation to encourage compliance.
