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Ghana’s Interior Minister Muntaka Mubarak has ordered the immediate suspension of all active firearm licences nationwide, effective noon on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. The directive, announced on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, aims to conduct a comprehensive audit of the country’s weapons ownership and control system following emerging concerns about compliance breaches and the misuse of legally registered weapons.

The minister cited a “new phenomenon” threatening public safety, referencing reports of a shooting incident involving Sarah Adwoa Safo at a property linked to Israel Safo in the Greater Accra Region. The incident is tied to a succession dispute within the Kristo Asafo Mission after the death of its founder, Apostle Professor Kwadwo Safo, in September 2025. Police have arrested Israel Kwadwo Akofena Safo and two others in connection with the shooting, while the Kristo Asafo family has alleged an assassination plot against Adwoa Safo.

Authorities say the nationwide suspension is part of efforts to stabilise the firearms system while investigations and reforms are carried out. The move follows calls for tighter oversight after a series of gun-related incidents that have raised questions about the efficacy of the existing licensing regime. Over 4,000 weapons were surrendered during the recent gun amnesty period, and the Interior Ministry has announced plans to publicly destroy seized weapons on July 9 as the amnesty ends.

Legal experts caution that while the suspension may address immediate risks, it risks infringing on the rights of law‑abiding gun owners and may not address the root causes of illicit firearms trafficking. Conversely, supporters argue that a temporary halt is necessary to restore public confidence and allow authorities to conduct a thorough audit of licensing procedures, background checks, and compliance mechanisms.

The Interior Ministry has also pledged to introduce stricter requirements for firearm applicants, including mandatory mental health and drug screenings, as part of a broader reform agenda. Stakeholders, including security agencies and civil society groups, are expected to be consulted in the coming weeks to shape a more robust regulatory framework that balances public safety with legitimate gun ownership rights.