GES Launches Campaign Encouraging Students to Report Weapons in Schools.

GES Urges Students to Report Weapons in Schools as Part of Nationwide Safety Campaign.

In a renewed effort to promote safety and prevent violence in schools, the Ghana Education Service (GES) has launched a nationwide campaign encouraging students to report the presence of weapons on school premises. 

The initiative was officially introduced at O’Reilly Senior High School in Accra, during the launch of the Sav Schools Outreach Programme, a joint effort between the GES, the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCSALW), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Speaking at the event, Deputy Director-General of GES, Dr. Munawaru Issahaque, called on students to be vigilant and to take an active role in ensuring their own safety by reporting any colleague found in possession of firearms or other weapons. He emphasized that the safety of schools is a shared responsibility and that students should not hesitate to speak up when they notice something suspicious.

The campaign is designed not only to address the issue of small arms in schools but also to instill a culture of peace and proactive responsibility among learners. To this end, a new student-led initiative known as the Students Against Violence Club was launched. The club aims to equip young people with practical skills in anger management, peer education, conflict resolution, and early reporting of violence-related behaviours. Through its activities, the club will promote non-violence and peaceful coexistence both in and beyond the classroom.

Dr. Edward Ampratwum, representing UNDP Ghana, noted that tackling the problem of small arms proliferation, especially in school environments, requires a multi-stakeholder approach. He encouraged collaboration between school authorities, civil society groups, faith-based organisations, parents, and the media to create a unified front against weapons in schools. He reiterated the UNDP’s commitment to supporting initiatives that protect students and ensure safe learning spaces.

Francis Ameyibor, National Coordinator of the West Africa Action Network on Small Arms (WAANSA), also used the platform to urge Parliament to expedite the passage of the Firearms Regulation Bill. He argued that a solid legal framework is essential for addressing the spread of illegal weapons and enhancing enforcement efforts across the country.

The launch of the Sav Schools Outreach Programme marks a significant step in Ghana’s broader strategy to reduce the threat of small arms, particularly among young people. By encouraging students to take a stand and report threats, the GES and its partners are building a stronger foundation for peace and security in the nation’s schools.