Ghana Unveils Sweeping Security and Transport Reforms: Stricter Gun Controls and the New ‘Okada’ Law

The Government of Ghana has launched a series of major policy reforms aimed at modernizing national security and transforming the transport sector. Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak and the Director-General of the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), Abraham Amaliba, have announced significant changes to firearm ownership regulations and the formal legalization of commercial motorcycle transport. These initiatives represent a shift toward digital oversight, enhanced public safety, and the professionalization of previously unregulated industries.

In the realm of national security, the Ministry of the Interior has slowed the issuance of civilian gun licenses to address a previously "simplistic" and error-prone manual process. Minister Mubarak announced the introduction of a digital registration system to track firearm ownership accurately and a new requirement for prospective owners to undergo formal training at accredited facilities through a public-private partnership. These measures are bolstered by a successful gun amnesty program, which has seen over 4,000 firearms voluntarily surrendered by civilians as of early 2026. Additionally, the Minister clarified that while the security services are digitizing HR management through a partnership with the local tech firm Trybnet, recruitment aptitude tests remain under human oversight rather than artificial intelligence.

Simultaneously, the transport sector is seeing a historic shift with the Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill, 2025, popularly known as the "Okada Law." This legislation formally recognizes motorcycles, tricycles, and quadricycles as legitimate modes of commercial passenger transport. To ensure safety, the NRSA will now require commercial riders to belong to recognized unions for better accountability and enforcement. The new regulations also mandate the use of approved safety gear and introduce stricter alcohol limits for drivers. Furthermore, a new towing policy will require vehicle owners in major city centers to arrange for the removal of broken-down vehicles within 30 minutes, likely through insurance-linked subscriptions, to reduce urban congestion.

These reforms are underpinned by a broader commitment to technological integration in governance. The Ministry of Transport is preparing for the nationwide rollout of the Traffitech-GH system, an automated enforcement initiative using cameras and sensors to capture traffic violations. By transitioning from manual record-keeping to digital registries in both security and transport, the government aims to reduce human error, curb illegal arms proliferation, and significantly lower road fatalities. As the Road Traffic Bill awaits presidential assent and gazetting, these measures signal a new era of regulated and data-driven public administration in Ghana.