Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, the National Chief Imam, has passionately appealed to all citizens in possession of illicit weapons to voluntarily surrender them to the authorities.

He has therefore endorsed the ongoing national Gun Amnesty Programme (GAP).

The appeal was made when a high-level sensitisation team from the GAP paid a courtesy call on the Chief Imam at his residence in Accra, seeking his blessings and ambassadorship for the initiative.

The team, comprising officials from the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons (NACSA), the Ghana Police Service, and the Ministry of the Interior, briefed the cleric on the programme’s progress and objectives.

Following the briefing, the Chief Imam accepted the role of an ambassador for the amnesty campaign dubbed,“Silence the Guns, Elevate Ghana”.

Speaking through his representative, Sheikh Armiyawo Shaibu, the Chief Imam emphasised that the drive for voluntary surrender of weapons was in the supreme interest of national security and harmony.

“Chief Imam has added his voice in calling on all citizens of this country who are in possession of any kind of arms without licences to surrender them in our own interest, in the interest of the security of our country.”

He highlighted Ghana’s cherished peace and religious harmony, warning that the proliferation of small arms could undermine social cohesion.

“We cannot achieve that if we have so many small arms in the possession of many of the citizens who will trigger and shoot at the least of any dispute or conflict,” he added.

Dr Adam Bonaa, leading the NACSA delegation, provided updates on the programme, which officially runs from December 1,2025 to January 14,2025.

He revealed significant early successes, noting that over 100 weapons had been surrendered in the Wa Municipality of the Upper West Region alone, with other seizures including AK-47s in the Volta Region.

“Within this period, anyone who surrenders a weapon will not be prosecuted. You are not going to be arrested and you are not going to be interrogated. Nothing at all. ” Dr Bonah said.

He urged the public to take advantage of the window of Amnesty, warning
that after the deadline, security agencies will “swoop” on those who fail to comply, as they are aware of individuals holding illicit arms.

The Chief Imam has granted permission for the amnesty team to address worshippers at the National Mosque this Friday to further disseminate the message.

The team also plans to extend its sensitisation efforts to churches, traditional councils, and communities across the country.

The Gun Amnesty Programme is a collaborative effort involving multiple state security agencies and civil society organisations, aimed at curbing gun violence and strengthening national security.

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