The Executive Secretary of the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons (NACSA), Dr Adam Bonaa, has outlined the regulatory challenges surrounding the use of muskets at cultural festivals in Ghana, saying a new Small Arms Bill is being processed to strengthen oversight.

He said although some of the weapons used during traditional celebrations are licensed, authorities are still tracking others to establish whether they meet the required legal standards.

Government places temporary ban on use of firearms at celebratory events

Speaking in an interview on GhanaWeb TV’s Lowdown show, Dr Bonaa acknowledged that the use of guns during cultural events is deeply rooted in Ghanaian traditions, making it difficult to abolish the practice entirely.

He cited hunting traditions in his home area of Issa in the Upper West Region, explaining that communities have historically used different weapons for hunting.

“It's part of our culture, so we cannot do away with it,” he said.

Dr Bonaa, however, stressed the need for stronger regulation, particularly regarding the firing of muskets into the air during festivals.

“What this administration is doing, or what we are doing from the small arms point of view, to interior, to the other agencies, is we have a small arms bill that has been put together, and it's undergoing processes. Once that is passed, all these masquerades and those firing them in the air are supposed to be part of it,” he stated.

He explained that the proposed legislation is expected to bring such activities under a more structured regulatory framework.

On the licensing status of the weapons, Dr Bonaa clarified that authorities were still working to identify those that may be operating outside the law.

“Some of it is licensed, but some of it we are still tracking to know which ones are not licensed,” he said.

He cautioned against attempting to resolve a longstanding cultural practice through sudden measures, arguing that effective regulation would require a gradual but accelerated approach.

Dr Bonaa also highlighted the dangers posed by firearms, noting that unlike illicit drugs, weapons can remain functional for decades and continue to be used in criminal activities.

He cited an investigation in which the Commission traced a weapon used in a crime to its production during the First World War. According to him, the weapon had passed through 16 countries before reaching Ghana.

The NACSA executive secretary further called for increased support and staffing for the Commission, saying it needed personnel across districts, regions, borders and airports to strengthen monitoring and help preserve Ghana’s peace and security.



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