Interior Ministry Suspends All Registered Gun Licenses

The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mubarak has announced suspension of all registered firearms licenses in the country with immediate effect as part of efforts to fade out weapons ownership and control system in Ghana. 

The directive takes effect at 12 noon of Tuesday, June 23, 2026, and aims to tighten oversight, improve accountability and to strengthen national security.

Speaking on the issue, the minister explained that the move is necessary over recent concerns about licensing regime of firearms, coupled with compliance breaches and the 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 said.

The minister said that the directive will enable authorities conduct thorough audit and restructuring of the firearms control system.

He claimed that the decision was influenced by what he referred to as a "new phenomenon" that threatens public safety.

“Because we have realised a new phenomenon which is threatening public safety,” he noted.

The Interior Ministry's announcement follows a recent shooting report involving former Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya, Sarah Adwoa Safi at a private property believed to be linked to Israel Safo. 

An ongoing succession dispute within the Kristo Asafo Mission following the demise of its founder, Apostle Professor Kwadwo led to the shooting incident. 

Legal proceedings have already begun as a result of the conflict, which led to different claims to leadership of the church and its affiliated organisations.

The Kwadwo Safo family said in a statement that when the incident happened, Ms. Adwoa Safo was on the property to execute a court order during an installation ceremony involving Israel Safo. The police are currently looking into the claims.

The nationwide suspension, according to authorities, is a component of attempts to stabilise the guns system while enquiries and changes are conducted.