The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has announced the immediate suspension of all existing gun licences in Ghana and directed current licence holders to reapply and undergo fresh screening.
Reacting to the decision, security expert Richard Kumadoe described the move as potentially problematic, warning that it could create significant challenges if not properly managed.
Speaking on Ahotor FM’s Adekyee Mu Nsem programme with Citizen Kofi Owusu in Accra, Mr. Kumadoe said suspending all existing gun licences and requiring holders to reapply may prove difficult to implement, particularly if authorities lack a clear system for screening, tracking, and verifying applicants.
He noted that a major concern is whether the Ministry of the Interior and the security agencies have the capacity to conduct comprehensive background checks on every individual seeking to renew or obtain a firearm licence.
According to him, authorities must verify the source of every weapon, the purpose for which it is being held, the criminal history of applicants, and whether they are legally qualified to possess firearms.
Mr. Kumadoe revealed that a comprehensive firearms bill has already been drafted to address challenges associated with illegal gun ownership, weak licensing procedures, and the inability of authorities to effectively trace firearms in the country.
He explained that the bill contains strict measures which, if properly implemented, would strengthen background checks, regulate the importation and transfer of firearms, improve record-keeping, and ensure that only qualified persons are allowed to possess guns.
He further stated that the proposed legislation should establish a clear firearm-tracing system, detailing where weapons are imported from, who owns them, where they are stored, and how they are transferred between individuals.
Mr. Kumadoe stressed that authorities should not focus solely on new licence applicants but must also investigate individuals who already possess firearms, especially those whose weapons may have been acquired unlawfully.
He called for stronger collaboration between the Ministry of the Interior, the Ghana Police Service, the Customs Division, and other security agencies to prevent illegal firearms from entering the country through its borders.
According to him, Ghana requires enhanced border surveillance, intelligence-led operations, and a reliable national database to effectively monitor firearms and their owners.
He also emphasized the importance of public education to ensure gun owners understand the new requirements, the reapplication process, and the consequences of possessing unregistered firearms.
Mr. Kumadoe noted that many firearm owners may not fully understand the legal limits surrounding gun ownership, including where firearms can be carried, how they should be stored, and the penalties associated with misuse.
Questioning the effectiveness of previous gun amnesty exercises, particularly in Accra, he said:
“We are in Accra here; we said we have done amnesty, but look at the kind of guns that are with people.”
He argued that the continued presence of dangerous firearms in the hands of some individuals raises concerns about the effectiveness of past amnesty programmes, including how many illegal weapons were actually surrendered and whether the exercises were adequately monitored.
Mr. Kumadoe said authorities must be able to account for firearms surrendered during amnesty periods and identify weapons that remain outside the legal system.
He further questioned what actions would be taken against individuals who fail to surrender or register illegal firearms after the deadline, warning that an amnesty programme without effective enforcement could encourage non-compliance.
Addressing concerns about mental health, Mr. Kumadoe stated that it should not be the primary basis for determining firearm ownership unless supported by factual evidence. He maintained that thorough background checks, criminal-record verification, and intelligence reports should remain central to the screening process.
He also noted that private security companies are currently not permitted to possess firearms under existing regulations and said the proposed law must address loopholes that allow weapons to end up in the hands of unauthorized persons.
Mr. Kumadoe urged the government to ensure that the gun licence suspension and reapplication exercise is supported by a clear implementation framework, cautioning that without effective enforcement, the policy could become problematic and fail to achieve its objective of reducing illegal firearms in the country.
Story by Stephen Kwaku Owusu Mintah
