Interior Minister suspends all firearm licences in Ghana amid major security reforms
The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mubarak, has announced the immediate suspension of all registered firearm licences across Ghana as part of a comprehensive overhaul of the country's firearms ownership and regulatory framework.
The directive took effect at 12 noon on Tuesday, June 23, and forms part of a broader effort to strengthen national security, enhance accountability, and improve oversight of firearm ownership nationwide.
Speaking on Joy FM's Super Morning Show, the Interior Minister said the government had identified significant concerns within the current firearm licensing system, including compliance issues and the potential misuse of legally registered weapons.
“Everybody in Ghana who currently holds a legitimate license to hold a gun, today (Tuesday, June 23), I am suspending all of it. All of it that everybody is holding,” he stated.
According to Mr Mubarak, the suspension will enable authorities to undertake a thorough audit and restructuring of the country's firearm licensing regime.
He explained that the decision was informed by what he described as a “new phenomenon” that poses a growing threat to public safety.
“Because we have realised a new phenomenon which is threatening public safety,” he noted.
The announcement comes in the wake of reports surrounding a shooting incident involving former Member of Parliament Sarah Adwoa Safo at a property linked to Israel Safo in the Greater Accra Region.
The incident is tied to an ongoing succession dispute within the Kristo Asafo Mission following the death of its founder, Apostle Professor Kwadwo Safo, in September last year.
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The leadership dispute has resulted in competing claims over control of the church and its affiliated institutions, with several legal proceedings currently underway.
In a statement, the Kwadwo Safo family alleged that Ms Adwoa Safo was at the property to serve a court injunction during an installation ceremony involving Israel Safo when the shooting occurred. The matter remains under investigation by the Ghana Police Service.
Authorities say the nationwide suspension of firearm licences is a temporary measure aimed at stabilising the firearms regulatory system while investigations and reforms are carried out.
The government is expected to provide further details on the review process and the requirements for firearm owners once the audit of the existing licensing framework is completed.
Edem Kwame
Chief Editor
Edem Kwame is a staff journalist at GH News Media, where he covers sports, politics, news and current affairs with a sharp focus on Ghanaian and African football.
