Gov't commits to the passage of National Small Arms Bill — Interior Minister

Alhaji Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, the Minister of the Interior, has affirmed the government of President John Dramani Mahama’s commitment to the passage of the National Small Arms Bill 2023 into law, describing it as a pivotal step toward ensuring a more robust legal framework to regulate civilian possession and use of firearms.

The Interior Minister made the statement in Accra during the inauguration of the 15-member newly constituted Governing Board of the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons (NACSA) on July 10, 2025, which was monitored by the Modern Ghana News Network.

The NACSA Governing Board is made up of Mr. Godwin Animli Dorgbadzi-Dorani (MP), who doubles as the Chairman; Dr. Adam Adamu Bonaa, Executive Secretary of NACSA; Captain Micheal Larbi and Colonel Dominic Ampomah, representing the Ghana Armed Forces; Mrs. Khalilah Hackman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Ms. Gloria McCarthy from the Ministry of the Interior; and Mrs. Sefakor Batse from the Attorney General’s Office.

The rest are Mr. Francis Ameyibor from the West Africa Action Network on Small Arms (WAANSA Ghana); Dr. Mohammed Bako from the National Security Council; ACOP Al-Meyao Abass Kwarasey and DCOP Lydia Yaako Donkor, representing the Ghana Police Service.

Others are Mr. Laud Akwasi Ofori Affrifah from the Ghana Immigration Service, Mr. Eric Bonney from the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service, and Dr. Mohammed Kamil Mohammed and Elvis Koka Abima (PHD), both from the Office of the President.

The Interior Minister, who administered the Official Oath and the Oath of Secrecy, explained that the inauguration of the new Board comes at a time when the Commission’s role is more urgent than ever, stressing that the rising incidents of gun-related violence in communities highlight the need for effective and coordinated national action.

He further encouraged the new Board to deepen collaboration with key stakeholders, including civil society organisations, traditional leaders, the media, and youth groups, particularly in border communities and high-risk areas.

The new board has been tasked with driving institutional reforms, supporting data-driven decision-making, and enhancing public education efforts to reduce demand for and access to illicit weapons.

Mr. Dorgbadzi-Dorani (MP), Chairman of the Board on behalf of the members, affirmed the commitment of the board for the task ahead, stressing that the board is ready to advance disarmament efforts in achieving NACSA’s goal of a gun-violence-free Ghana.

The Board’s mandate, among others, is to provide strategic guidance and oversight to the Commission in addressing the increasing threat posed by the proliferation and misuse of small arms in the country.