Ghana’s eighth national arms destruction exercise: FOSDA calls for responsible weapons management

The Foundation for Security and Development in Africa (FOSDA) joined the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons (NACSA), government officials, security agencies, civil society organizations and development partners at Ghana’s Eighth National Arms Destruction Exercise held on 9 July 2026.

The ceremony marked the destruction of approximately 4,000 firearms, the largest quantity destroyed in a single national exercise since Ghana began public arms destruction programmes in 2006.

The weapons included firearms voluntarily surrendered through the National Gun Amnesty Programme, weapons confiscated by the security services, and obsolete state-owned firearms. The exercise also marked the resumption of national arms destruction activities after the previous exercise held in 2020.

A significant milestone of this year’s exercise was Ghana’s adoption, for the first time, of a cutting destruction methodology, which permanently disables firearms before they are recycled.

This internationally recognized approach enhances both security and environmental sustainability by ensuring that destroyed weapons can never be recovered or diverted back into illicit circulation.

In a statement issued in Accra, the Foundation for Security and Development in Africa (FOSDA) said arms destruction is not merely a symbolic event but a critical pillar of an effective Weapons and Ammunition Management (WAM) system.

The Foundation also indicated that as the final stage in the lifecycle of state-held weapons, it ensures that surrendered, confiscated, obsolete and surplus firearms are permanently removed from circulation, reducing the risk of diversion, misuse and armed violence.

“We commend the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons for its leadership in advancing this important aspect of Ghana’s national security architecture.

“The exercise also demonstrates Ghana’s continued commitment to responsible arms control and the implementation of regional and international frameworks, including the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons, the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms (UNPoA), the International Tracing Instrument (ITI) the Global Framework for Through-life Conventional Ammunition Management (GFA) and the African Union’s ‘Silencing the Guns’” the Executive Director for FOSDA, Theodora Anti Williams, indicated.

She indicated that beyond its security benefits, public arms destruction is an important confidence-building measure.

“Effective destruction processes should be underpinned by robust inventory management, verification, documentation and independent observation to ensure transparency and accountability. These safeguards help prevent state-held weapons from re-entering illicit markets while strengthening public confidence in the institutions responsible for their management,” Madam Williams added.

She further stated that while the destruction of approximately 4,000 firearms is a significant achievement, it should form part of a continuous and institutionalized national weapons management system.

FOSDA therefore encourages the Government of Ghana and the Small Arms Commission to sustain regular national arms destruction exercises and strengthen safe stockpile management.

The Foundation also called on the government to maintain rigorous transparency and accountability throughout the destruction process, and continue providing opportunities for civil society and citizens to observe, ask questions and contribute to oversight.

“These measures will further reduce the risk of diversion, reinforce public trust and consolidate Ghana’s leadership in responsible arms control in West Africa,” she concluded.