Police must establish whether guns used in Kwabenya shooting were registered – Security expert
The recent shooting incident in Kwabenya, which saw former Dome-Kwabenya MP Sarah Adwoa Safo allegedly targeted by unknown gunmen, has reignited concerns over firearms regulation in Ghana. Six private security guards have been arrested in connection with the affair, but as security expert Dr Adam Alhassan Adamu Bonaa emphasized on JoyNews’ The Pulse, the central question remains whether the weapons used were legally registered.
Ghana’s firearms legislation, encapsulated in the Arms and Ammunition Act, requires that all firearms be registered with the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons. Possession of an unregistered weapon constitutes a criminal offence, punishable by fines and imprisonment. Dr Bonaa, who serves as the commission’s Executive Secretary, stressed that investigators must trace the guns from point of acquisition to their deployment in the Kwabenya incident, verifying documentation at each stage.
The incident unfolded on June 22, 2026 when Safo was reportedly shot at her residence, as detailed in our earlier report Former Dome-Kwabenya MP Sarah Adwoa Safo Shot in Apparent Assassination Attempt. Eyewitness accounts suggest that the assailants fired multiple rounds before fleeing. Police have since detained six individuals identified as private security personnel, a development covered in our coverage Six arrested over Kwabenya shooting incident involving Adwoa Safo. Their exact roles remain under investigation. The arrests have prompted public debate over the oversight of private security firms, many of which operate in a legal grey area regarding armament.
Dr Bonaa noted that the Arms Intelligence Unit of the commission has already visited the scene to gather forensic evidence. Such efforts, he argued, are essential not only for establishing culpability but also for upholding public confidence in the regulatory framework. “We need to know whether even the weapons are registered,” he said. “All these issues are currently being investigated, and definitely some information will be made available after the investigations are completed.”
Beyond the immediate case, the Kwabenya shooting highlights systemic challenges. Private security companies often recruit former military or police personnel, yet the process of vetting and monitoring their arsenals remains inconsistent. Recent reports indicate that some firms import weapons without proper clearance, relying on informal networks to circumvent official channels. The commission’s limited resources further impede routine inspections, leaving gaps that can be exploited.
Legislators have periodically called for amendments to tighten controls, including mandatory biometric registration and real‑time tracking of firearms. However, progress has been slow, hampered by bureaucratic inertia and concerns over infringing on legitimate ownership rights. Dr Bonaa advocated for a balanced approach: safeguarding the rights of law‑abiding gun owners while ensuring that any weapon used in criminal activity can be swiftly traced to its source.
As the investigation continues, the police have pledged to cooperate with the Small Arms Commission. The outcome could set a precedent for how Ghana handles firearm-related crimes involving private security personnel. For now, the focus remains on a fundamental question: were the guns that shattered the peace of Kwabenya legitimately possessed, or did they represent another breach of the nation’s arms control regime?
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