Interior Minister Muntaka Mubarak Overhauls Firearm Licensing; Orders Mental Health Screening and Mandatory Drug Testing

Ghana’s Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, has ordered the immediate suspension and revocation of all active private firearm licenses across the country. The directive, effective June 23, marks the commencement of a comprehensive overhaul of the nation’s weapons control regime. This decision follows rising concerns over public safety, specifically three high-profile suicides involving affluent individuals using legally registered firearms and several recent shooting incidents that have highlighted significant gaps in the existing licensing framework. Authorities emphasize that the suspension is a necessary step to stabilize the firearms management system and address emerging threats to national security.

Under the new regulatory regime, existing gun owners have been given a three-month window to revalidate their permits through a significantly more rigorous vetting process. Starting June 24, 2026, all applicants must undergo comprehensive mental health assessments, drug screenings, and practical firearms handling training before their licenses can be renewed. Minister Mubarak noted that the previous system lacked these critical safeguards, which he identified as a major flaw. Furthermore, the Ministry has placed a moratorium on the issuance of any new firearm licenses until the revamped procedures and infrastructure are fully operational nationwide.

To further sanitize the national weapons stock, the government plans to publicly destroy over 4,000 firearms on July 9, 2026. These weapons were either seized or surrendered voluntarily during a national amnesty program aimed at reducing the number of unregistered firearms. The Minister also addressed the misuse of personal protection weapons, citing an alleged shooting involving former MP Sarah Adwoa Safo and leadership disputes within the Kristo Asafo Mission as examples of the volatile environment. He stressed that firearms licensed for personal protection cannot be legally used for private security purposes, and those found in breach of these regulations face immediate confiscation of their weapons.

In a move to improve handling standards, the Ministry of the Interior is partnering with the private sector to establish new shooting ranges across Ghana. Currently, the country possesses only one recognized range, which the government deems insufficient for the regular training and competency assessments now required by law. While the reforms have garnered support for their focus on public safety, some political figures have raised concerns about the implementation strategy. Kofi Amankwa-Manu, Deputy Ranking Member on Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, expressed support for the mental health and drug testing requirements but suggested that these reforms should ideally be integrated into the annual renewal process rather than requiring a total withdrawal of existing licenses.