Dr Adam Bonaa is the Acting Executive Secretary of NACSA

The Acting Executive Secretary of the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons (NACSA), Dr Adam Bonaa, has stated that his outfit is planning to roll out a series of strategies to address the growing concern of students and minors carrying firearms to their schools.

According to him, the alarming number of cases of students wielding firearms require immediate intervention to ensure safety in schools and in communities.

The Commission is consequently planning to roll out some strategies, including the review of 50-year-old firearms possession laws, to curb the rising incidents of firearms possession among minors.

Speaking exclusively with GhanaWeb on Monday, May 19, 2025, about the rising number of cases involving students found in possession of firearms in schools, Dr Bonaa expressed concern over the growing trend.

He emphasised that many of these minors are unaware of the dangers associated with their actions.

“It's a worrying trend that is fast developing among secondary school children. When we were in secondary school many years ago, I don't think the idea of firearms ever came to our minds. Even if your parents or a relation had a firearm, you stayed away from it because we at least knew the damaging effect of firearm, if it is not properly used. However, it looks like this day and age, young people in secondary school, and sometimes in the Junior High School and primary school are also engaging in this,” he said in the interview.

He assured that the Commission is planning to sensitise the younger generation on the dangers of firearms.

In addition to the sensitisation, he noted that the Commission is advocating for amendments to the existing legislation governing firearm acquisition to strengthen regulatory controls and prevent access by minors.

“At the moment, the law that regulates acquisition of firearms is more than 50 years old. So, it is something that we are working on. We have a bill that is pending to be made before Parliament, hoping that it will be passed. These firearms that have been found among school children mostly have been firearms that were manufactured in this country, the artisanship type of firearms which means that we have an issue of people who have the expertise to make these weapons,” he said.

Dr Bonaa acknowledged that more decisive actions are needed to address the issue, stating that the Commission plans to launch a nationwide sensitisation campaign specifically targeting students.

He explained that the sensitisation campaign will help raise awareness about the dangers of carrying firearms and play a crucial role in curbing such behaviours from escalating.

“What I would say is that a lot more would have to be done on our part with regards to sensitisation to let these young people know that firearms are not toys - these are killing machines. If it is fired, depending on how close you are and where it hits you - yes, you could die. So, the Small Arms Commission is dealing with it with a three-pronged approach.

“First of all, because these are children, we are working on them using sensitisation and ensuring that at the end of the day, they become aware of the harmful effects of firearms. We will let them know that regardless (sic) of it being properly applied or otherwise, because they might be below 18 years old, they cannot legally own or handle a gun. So, if you are within a certain age bracket, the firearm law prohibits you to legally possess a firearm,” Dr Bonaa said.

He explained that young people would be sensitised to understand that their actions have direct implications on their parents and guardians.

“So, then if you are caught with a firearm vicariously, it is the owner of the firearm who is going to be punished because they are the owner of the gun. Whether the person is your father or a relative, he would be arrested and prosecuted. So, we are using sensitisation to ensure that it goes down deep amongst them to understand the devastating nature of illicit firearms,” he added.

Dr Bonaa further cited the role of blacksmiths in the increasing proliferation of firearms in the country, stating that many have the expertise to manufacture firearms.

He emphasised that the Commission will take firm action against those found culpable.

MAG/VPO

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