The National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons (NACSA) embarked on a sensitization tour in Kumasi, engaging students at both tertiary and basic school levels. The initiative forms part of NACSA’s ongoing sensitization efforts under the Silencing the Gun to Save a Life Project, funded by the Saving Lives Entity (SALIENT) FUND through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA). The exercises were carried out during a working visit by the Executive Secretary, Dr. Adam Bonaa, and a team from the Head Office in Accra, who joined the Ashanti Regional Office for the program.
On Wednesday, 25th September 2025, the Commission held sessions at Christ Apostolic University College, Kwadaso, and Martyrs of Uganda Basic School, Santasi. Themed “Arms and Security Awareness,” the engagements brought together over 1,300 students and school authorities.
The NACSA Team delivered interactive presentations on the dangers of small arms proliferation, the consequences of illegal possession, and the importance of non-violent conflict resolution. Students were urged to play an active role in preventing violence, embrace peaceful ways of addressing conflicts, and report suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities.
Beyond the school engagements, the working visit also featured radio sensitisation programs on Ultimate FM and Luv FM led by the NACSA Management Team. This media engagements were to broaden the reach of the campaign, ensuring that the message of peace and responsible action extended to the wider Ashanti Region.
The sessions were highly engaging, with students raising critical questions on border security, firearm regulations and protection for those who report gun-related incidents. School authorities in both institutions expressed appreciation for the initiative and pledged their continued collaboration with NACSA to sustain awareness among young people. The Commission underscores that instilling awareness on the dangers of illegal possession and misuse of firearms from an early age is crucial to preventing gun violence and nurturing a culture of peace in Ghana. Sensitization, as one of NACSA’s core thematic pillars, remains a powerful tool for driving this change, and the Commission is committed to expanding such initiatives nationwide.
