"Seized firearms should never be reused by security agencies" — Security Analyst

Peace, Security and Intelligence Analyst, Patrick K. Yeboah, has stated that firearms confiscated from criminals or surrendered through amnesty programmes should never be reintroduced into the operational inventory of Ghana's security and intelligence agencies, stressing that their destruction is essential for national security, public safety and the integrity of the country's arms control system.

In an article following Ghana's 8th National Small Arms Destruction Ceremony, held on July 9, 2026, to commemorate the United Nations International Small Arms Destruction Day,

Mr. Yeboah explained that although some members of the public believe recovered firearms could help address logistical challenges within the security services, such weapons are unsuitable for operational use due to legal, forensic, operational and safety concerns.

He noted that many seized firearms have uncertain or undocumented histories, with some having been illegally manufactured, smuggled across borders, modified to increase their lethality or poorly maintained.

As a result, their mechanical reliability cannot be guaranteed, posing significant risks to security personnel during critical operations.

According to him, confiscated firearms also retain important forensic value, as many have been linked to offences such as armed robbery, murder, organised crime, terrorism and illegal mining.

Reintroducing such weapons into active service, he argued, could complicate future investigations, undermine chain-of-custody records and weaken public confidence in the criminal justice system.

Mr. Yeboah further explained that permanently destroying seized firearms eliminates the possibility of their diversion back into criminal circulation through theft, corruption or unauthorised transfers.

He added that destruction also enables security agencies to maintain standardised weapon systems, making training, maintenance, logistics and ammunition management more efficient.

The analyst emphasised that Ghana's approach is consistent with internationally recognised arms control frameworks, including the United Nations Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons (UNPoA), the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons, the United Nations Firearms Protocol, the Arms Trade Treaty, and the International Small Arms Control Standards (ISACS).

These instruments encourage the permanent destruction of illicit or confiscated firearms once all legal processes have been completed.

He maintained that whenever additional firearms are required by the Ghana Armed Forces, Ghana Police Service, Ghana Prisons Service and other security agencies, they should be acquired through transparent procurement from licensed manufacturers and authorised arms dealers rather than by reusing confiscated weapons.

Mr. Yeboah concluded that destroying seized firearms is not a waste of valuable resources but a necessary safeguard that protects security personnel, strengthens accountability, supports the rule of law and enhances national security.

He also commended successive governments for sustaining the policy, describing it as a demonstration of Ghana's commitment to responsible arms control and the fight against the proliferation of illicit firearms.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith