The National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons (NACSA) has released its 2025 Second Quarter Open-Source Gun Incidence (OGI) Report, highlighting a sharp rise in gun violence across Ghana, with the Ashanti, Eastern, and Upper East regions recording the highest incidents.

The report, issued on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, shows a growing trend of gun-related crimes, with Ashanti leading with 21 incidents, followed by Eastern (8) and Upper East (7).

According to the report, gun violence was recorded in 11 out of 16 regions during the second quarter, compared to 15 regions in the first quarter. Bono, Bono East, Savannah, Ahafo, and Upper West reported no incidents and were commended for their efforts.

The surge included a wide range of crime types, such as indiscriminate shootings, celebratory gunfire, and land disputes.

The data revealed that males were predominantly involved, accounting for 100% of perpetrators and 78% of victims, with 43 deaths recorded, the majority of whom were men.

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The report also identified pump-action guns, pistols, and AK-47 rifles as the most common weapons recovered at crime scenes.

However, 54% of firearms used in these incidents remain unidentified, posing challenges for investigations.

In a press release signed by the Acting Head of Communications, Carl Nii Anetei Sowah, NACSA called for an inclusive approach to tackling gun violence and urged the swift passage of the proposed National Arms Bill to strengthen arms control.

The Commission appealed to the Attorney-General, Parliament, and Civil Society Organisations to support the Minister for the Interior in driving this effort.

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NACSA stressed that the alarming rise in gun-related incidents underscores the urgent need for a robust legal framework to curb the proliferation of illicit firearms and promote a gun-violence-free Ghana.

Read the full report below:



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