The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has warned parents who legally own guns to keep them locked and out of their children’s reach.
In a speech read on his behalf at a school event in Accra, the IGP said careless storage of firearms in homes has added to the growing risk of gun violence in schools and communities.
“The possession of a gun is not a right, but a privilege. Your registered gun can be seized in the interest of the country. Parents must keep guns in safes. Children must not touch them,” he stated.
He added that gun misuse, even during social events or festivals, continues to create fear and insecurity across the country.
The statement was made at the launch of the ‘Sav Schools’ Outreach Programme held at O’Reilly Secondary School in Teshie- Okpoi-Gonno.
The programme is being rolled out by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons.
It seeks to educate students on the dangers of illegal small arms and to encourage them to become peace ambassadors in their schools and communities.
The IGP said the abuse of small arms by the youth is rising and puts lives at risk. He noted that many people are eager to own firearms without understanding how harmful and dangerous they can be.
According to him, the police are working hard to stop the spread of illegal guns. “At the CID Headquarters, officers use an Interpol database to check all guns brought in for registration. If a weapon is found to be stolen or smuggled, it is seized immediately,” he elaborated.
Also, he reminded students that they have a big role to play in making schools safer. “We do not want to lose you. You are being empowered to take this message to your schools and your communities. You can help by creating awareness, encouraging non-violence, and helping your friends avoid dangerous paths,” he said.
Furthermore, he cautioned the public, saying that: “Owning a gun without approval is illegal. Sharing or lending a registered gun to others, or firing it in public, is against the law and can lead to arrest. Do not touch a gun when you see one. They may seem fashionable, but the results are disturbing. Stay away from violence.”
Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, in a speech read on his behalf also described the launch as timely and important. He said that no child should have to sit in a classroom and be afraid.
“No parent should worry if their child will return home safely, and no teacher should have to choose between teaching and protecting students,” he noted.
Additionally, he urged students and teachers to lead the campaign for safer schools. “This is not a job for government alone. We must all speak up. Students, you are not just observers. You are leaders. Your voices can bring change,” he said, encouraging schools to create spaces for students to speak freely about safety concerns.
Echoing the minister’s message, Mr. Christoph Capelle-Sghiouar, Officer-in-Charge, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), said that every year, thousands of lives are lost due to the illegal use of guns.
“Behind every number is a real person- a classmate, a friend, a family member This is not just a problem for the police or the government. It affects all of us,” he said.
According to Capelle, the UNODC supports countries to stop the illegal production and spread of weapons by helping them enforce laws and cooperate with one another- but said law enforcement alone is not enough.
“This is why education is important. This is why we are here in your school. You may think you are just young, but you have power. You can lead peace clubs. You can talk to your friends. You can make your schools safer,” he told the students.
Stephen Sarfo Amoah, Principal Programmes Manager at the National Peace Council, said the spread of small arms is a silent danger that tears apart families and communities. He added that the new programme is a bold step toward peace and unity.
“These weapons may be small, but their damage is huge. They destroy dreams and silence voices,” he noted.
He called on teachers, students, and leaders to work together to create schools where learning happens without fear.
A key part of the event was the official launch of the Students Against Violence Club at O’Reilly. The club will be led by student executives and supervised by teachers and peace advocates. Members will be trained to manage their anger, report early signs of violence, and support peaceful behaviour in school.
