The National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons (NACSA) has collaborated with the Ghana Police Service and the HALO Trust to commence a three-day specialised training programme ahead of the 8th National Weapons Destruction Exercise scheduled for 9th July 2026.
The training will bring together 10 Officers each from the Ghana Police Service and NACSA to build the technical capacity required for the safe and environmentally sustainable destruction of more than 2,000 obsolete, surrendered, and seized firearms.
Speaking at the training, the Executive Secretary of NASCA, Dr Bonnaa, noted that the exercise is not just about cutting weapons; it is about removing instruments of violence from circulation and making communities safer.
He stated that Ghana is adopting this internationally recognised method of destruction for the first time, emphasising its relevance in equipping participants with the technical skills required to safely and effectively execute the exercise.
He stressed that participants must engage fully in the training, emphasising that precision and strict compliance with established procedures are critical, as any errors could compromise both the integrity of the process and the broader objective of permanently removing illicit weapons from circulation to make communities safer.
The Director of Policy, Planning, Research, Monitoring, and Evaluation (PPRME) at NACSA, Mr Gyebi Asante, stated that, unlike previous destruction exercises where weapons were burned, this exercise will adopt internationally accepted best practices by cutting the firearms before transporting the metal to a smelting company for recycling.
He explained that the new approach promotes environmental sustainability while ensuring the permanent destruction of the weapons.
The HALO Trust is facilitating the training, providing participants with specialised expertise in Weapons Destruction to support Ghana’s efforts to strengthen arms control, improve public safety, and align with international best practices.
