The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mubarak, has acknowledged that Ghana’s firearm registration system remains fully manual, creating significant challenges for applicants and law enforcement agencies.
Speaking before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, the Minister explained that obtaining a firearm license is a lengthy and cumbersome process. Applicants must submit a written request to the Interior Minister, after which the case is referred to the National Investigations Bureau (NIB) or the Police CID for background checks. Fingerprinting and fee payments follow before a license can be issued.
He noted that firearm licenses are issued on a calendar-year basis, which complicates renewals under the current manual system.
“One of the challenges we face is that everything is manual. For instance, you may obtain your license in November, but by December it has expired. The law makes it valid only within the year, from January 1 to December 30. This makes the process very daunting,” he explained.
The Minister disclosed that discussions are ongoing to digitize the licensing system to simplify operations, close loopholes, and reduce the burden on both gun owners and regulators.
Earlier, Inspector General of Police Christian Tetteh Yohuno also highlighted challenges with renewals, noting that while licenses are valid for one year, many gun owners fail to renew them promptly.
“It isn’t until incidents occur that the police discover that certain licenses have lapsed,” he said.
PAC Chairperson Abena Osei Asare, who raised the issue during the hearing, emphasized the need for a more efficient system to ensure compliance and effective monitoring of firearms across the country.
Source: AdomOnline
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