The Minister for the Interior has inaugurated a new Governing Board for the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons (NACSA) at a ceremony held on Thursday, July 10, 2025.
The newly constituted Board, chaired by Hon. Godwin Animli Dorgbadzi-Dorani, comprises professionals with diverse expertise from the security sector, civil society, academia, and governance. Their collective mandate 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.
Delivering the keynote address, the Honourable Minister for the Interior emphasized the critical role the Commission continues to play in safeguarding Ghana’s peace and stability. He noted with concern the recent rise in gun-related violence, especially during social and traditional events, and underscored the urgent need to strengthen the arms control mechanism in the country.
The Minister reiterated the government’s firm commitment to the passage of the Draft National Arms Bill into law, describing it as a pivotal step toward ensuring a more robust legal framework to regulate civilian possession and use of firearms.
“The inauguration of this new Board comes at a time when the Commission’s role is more urgent than ever. The rising incidents of gun-related violence in our communities highlight the need for effective and coordinated national action ,” the Minister stated.
He further encouraged the new Board to deepen collaboration with key stakeholders, including civil society organizations, 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 and access to illicit weapons.
The Chairman of the Board, Hon. Godwin Animli Dorgbadzi-Dorani, expressed his enthusiasm for the task ahead and affirmed the Board’s readiness to advance disarmament efforts in achieving NACSA’s goal of a gun-violence-free Ghana.
The National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons remains a vital institution in Ghana’s peace and security architecture, and the inauguration of its new Board marks a renewed drive towards effective arms control in the country.