The government has announced a nationwide revocation of all firearm licences as part of a comprehensive reform aimed at strengthening gun control and improving public safety across Ghana.
The directive, which took effect on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, requires all firearm owners to reapply for their licences under a new registration framework designed to address weaknesses identified in the existing system.
Speaking at a press briefing in Accra, Minister for the Interior Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak said the decision followed a review of current licensing procedures, which revealed gaps that could potentially allow firearms to be misused.
According to the Minister, every firearm holder will be required to undergo a fresh vetting process before a licence can be issued. The new requirements will include mental health evaluations, drug screening tests, and structured firearms training to ensure that only qualified individuals are authorised to possess guns.
“We have realised that there is a gap in the registration procedure we have been using. As a result, all existing licences are being revoked, and firearm owners will be required to re-register under the new system,” he explained.
The reforms come amid growing concerns about the misuse of legally registered firearms. Government officials have expressed alarm over incidents involving licensed weapons being used for purposes beyond those for which they were originally authorised.
The Interior Minister also cited a rise in firearm-related deaths involving legally registered weapons as one of the factors informing the decision to tighten regulations.
As part of the broader firearms control strategy, the government has announced plans to destroy more than 2,000 firearms that have either been voluntarily surrendered or confiscated through the national gun amnesty programme.
The latest measures also follow heightened scrutiny of private security operations in the country. Earlier this week, the Ministry suspended the operating licence of Kantanka Security Services Limited after a shooting incident in Kwabenya that left former Dome-Kwabenya Member of Parliament Sarah Adwoa Safo injured.
Authorities said preliminary investigations pointed to alleged violations involving the use of unauthorised uniforms and the possession and use of firearms and ammunition by some personnel while on duty.
Government officials say the new licensing regime is intended to improve accountability, enhance oversight of firearm ownership, and reduce the risk of weapons falling into the wrong hands.
The Interior Ministry is expected to announce further details regarding the re-registration process, timelines, and compliance requirements in the coming weeks.
By: Janice Opoku-Agyemang
