Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mubarak, has announced the immediate suspension of all registered firearm licences in Ghana as part of a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s firearm ownership and regulatory framework.
The directive took effect at 12 noon on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, and forms part of broader measures aimed at strengthening oversight, enhancing accountability and improving national security.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, the Minister said the decision was necessary to address growing concerns about weaknesses within the existing firearm licensing system, including compliance breaches and the misuse of legally acquired weapons.
“Everybody in Ghana who currently holds a legitimate licence to hold a gun, today (Tuesday, June 23), I am suspending all of it. All of it that everybody is holding,” Mr Mubarak stated.
According to him, the suspension will enable authorities to undertake a comprehensive audit of firearm licences and implement reforms to improve the country’s weapons control regime.
He explained that the move was prompted by emerging security concerns and developments that authorities believe pose a threat to public safety.
“Because we have realised a new phenomenon which is threatening public safety,” he said.
The Minister indicated that the government intends to use the suspension period to review existing licensing procedures, verify firearm ownership records and strengthen mechanisms for monitoring the possession and use of weapons across the country.
The announcement comes in the wake of a recent shooting incident involving former Dome-Kwabenya Member of Parliament, Adwoa Safo, at a property linked to her brother, Israel Safo, in the Greater Accra Region.
The incident is connected to an ongoing succession dispute within the Kristo Asafo Mission following the death of its founder, Apostle Professor Kwadwo Safo, in September 2025.
The dispute has generated competing claims over the leadership of the church and its affiliated institutions, with legal proceedings currently underway.
According to an earlier statement by the Kwadwo Safo family, Adwoa Safo had gone to serve a court injunction intended to halt an installation ceremony involving Israel Safo when the shooting allegedly occurred.
The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation by the Ghana Police Service.
Authorities say the nationwide suspension of firearm licences is intended to stabilise the firearms management system while investigations, audits and regulatory reforms are carried out.
Government officials have indicated that further details on the review process and the future framework for firearm licensing will be communicated in due course as efforts continue to strengthen public safety and national security.
