The Ghana National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons has urged parents to stop purchasing toy guns for their children, warning that such toys could normalize violence and lead to dangerous consequences.
The caution comes in the wake of a recent incident in the Amansie Central District of the Ashanti Region, where police seized a pump-action gun from a 15-year-old boy in Bepotenten Sukuum on January 23, 2026. A subsequent clash resulted in one death and one injury after officers instructed the boy to notify the gun’s owner to report with proper documentation.
Speaking on Nhyira FM’s “Kro Yi Mu Nsem” programme, Mr. Gyebi Asante, Deputy Director of Policy, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation at the Commission, highlighted the risks associated with toy guns. He explained that exposing children, particularly boys, to these toys during festive seasons could create a false sense of familiarity with real firearms.
“The concern is that kids, especially boys, are often given toy guns as playthings, which can lead to a false sense of familiarity with real guns. If their parents accidentally leave a real firearm unsecured, the child might mistake it for a toy and handle it, with potentially disastrous consequences,” he told host Barima Kofi Dawson.
Mr. Asante appealed to parents to opt for non-violent toys that foster healthy development and help instill a safer mindset in children, reducing the likelihood of involvement with actual guns.
He also emphasized the importance of responsible gun ownership, urging licensed owners to store firearms securely in locked places to prevent access by children and avert accidents.
Additionally, Mr. Asante called on the Ghana Police Service to enforce regulations on licensed arms dealers, ensuring they verify permits before selling guns or ammunition. He criticized some dealers for operating in open market spaces and displaying weapons publicly, contrary to rules that require private, secure magazines.
“Some dealers don’t even bother checking if buyers have a permit; they just sell guns and ammo to anyone. They should remember, if someone uses a gun or bullet to kill, they’ll be partly responsible too,” he warned.