The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has transferred a cache of seized firearms and ammunition to the national authorities responsible for arms control and disposal, in a move aimed at preventing the weapons from finding their way back into circulation.
The handover involved 141 firearms and 1,864 cartridges that were confiscated during operations carried out by the Secretariat.
The weapons are expected to undergo official marking and subsequent destruction in accordance with established national procedures governing the management of illicit and unserviceable arms.
The transfer ceremony coincided with the assumption of office of Colonel K.S. Appiah as the new Director of Operations of NAIMOS.
He takes over from Colonel Dominic Buah, whose tenure was marked by intensified efforts to combat illegal mining activities and related security threats.
The event was attended by the Minister for the Interior, Hon. Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, highlighting the government’s continued focus on strengthening national security, curbing the proliferation of illegal weapons, and ensuring responsible firearms management.
A technical team led by Deputy Executive Secretary Mohammed Gali Salam formally received the weapons on behalf of the receiving commission tasked with overseeing the destruction process.
The firearms handed over comprised a variety of weapons, including pump-action guns, shotguns, pistols, and ammunition.
Specifically, the consignment included:
121 pump-action guns
12 single-barrel shotguns
1 double-barrel shotgun
2 locally manufactured pistols
5 military-pattern pistols
7 rounds of 9mm ammunition
1,864 cartridges.
Officials noted that the destruction process forms part of broader national efforts to remove illegal and obsolete weapons from circulation and reduce the risk they pose to communities.
Authorities say the exercise demonstrates the importance of cooperation among state institutions in addressing the growing threat of illicit arms possession and trafficking.
By ensuring that confiscated weapons are properly accounted for and destroyed, government agencies seek to prevent their reuse in criminal activities and enhance public safety.
The initiative also reflects government’s commitment to international and national standards on arms control, transparency, and accountability in the management of seized weapons.
Security experts have consistently warned that the proliferation of illegal firearms can fuel criminality, violent conflicts, and other forms of insecurity.
The destruction of seized weapons is therefore considered a critical step in reducing these risks and reinforcing law enforcement efforts across the country.
The latest handover by NAIMOS is expected to contribute significantly to ongoing national measures aimed at maintaining peace, protecting citizens, and strengthening confidence in Ghana’s security architecture.
By 1960news.com
