Minister for Interior, Muntaka Mubarak, has pledged to prioritize the swift passage of the long-awaited Arms Bill, signaling a renewed push to tackle rising gun violence and illegal firearms proliferation across the country.
Speaking at a national security forum in Accra, Mubarak emphasized that the legislation is critical to safeguarding communities and strengthening accountability in firearm ownership.
“Ghana cannot afford to stall on this any longer,” Mubarak declared. “The Arms Bill is not just a document—it’s a lifeline for our nation’s security. We will work with Parliament to ensure its passage before the end of this legislative session.”
The bill, which has undergone years of review, proposes stricter licensing protocols, harsher penalties for illegal possession, and enhanced tracking systems to curb the flow of unregistered weapons.
Ghana has seen a worrying surge in gun-related crimes in recent years, with police data revealing a 25% increase in armed robberies and fatal shootings between 2021 and 2023. Criminal networks, often linked to cross-border trafficking, have exploited gaps in existing laws to arm gangs and fuel instability in hotspots like Kumasi, Accra, and the Upper West Region.
The proposed legislation aims to modernize Ghana’s 50-year-old firearm regulations by:
– Mandating comprehensive background checks and mental health evaluations for firearm applicants.
– Establishing a digital national firearms registry to monitor weapon transfers.
– Imposing prison sentences of up to 15 years for illegal manufacturing or trafficking.
– Strengthening collaboration with neighboring countries to disrupt regional arms smuggling routes.
Security analysts have also argued that outdated laws hinder law enforcement. “The current system is porous. Guns move freely because penalties are weak and oversight is minimal,” said Emmanuel Sowatey, a security policy researcher. “This bill could be a game-changer.”
The minister’s commitment has drawn support from civil society groups, including the Ghana Armed Forces and the Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons. Deputy Commissioner of Police Akuriba Yaagi noted,
“This law will empower officers to act decisively against armed criminals while protecting responsible owners.”
Interior Minister Muntaka Mubarak has called for bipartisan cooperation as parliamentary committees set to review the bill next month,
“This isn’t about politics—it’s about saving lives,” he stressed. The Interior Ministry plans to launch a task force to fast-track stakeholder consultations, aiming for presidential assent by early 2025.
Story by Freedom Lavoe.
