The Ministry of the Interior has revoked all existing firearm licences across the country with immediate effect, as part of a major reform of Ghana’s firearms regulatory system aimed at strengthening public safety and tightening gun control measures.

Announcing the decision at a press briefing in Accra on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, the Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, said all firearm owners will be required to reapply for their licences under a new and more rigorous registration framework.

According to the Minister, the revised licensing regime is intended to address shortcomings in the current system and prevent the misuse of legally acquired firearms.

Under the new requirements, applicants seeking firearm licences will be subjected to mandatory mental health evaluations, drug screening, and structured firearms training before approval is granted.

Mr. Mubarak explained that authorities had identified gaps in the existing registration process and expressed concern over incidents involving the misuse of licensed firearms, including a recent rise in firearm-related suicides.

He announced that all previously issued firearm permits had been revoked and that a new registration window would be opened to allow firearm holders to re-register their weapons under the updated procedures.

As part of broader efforts to strengthen firearms regulation, the Minister also disclosed plans to destroy more than 2,000 firearms that have either been voluntarily surrendered or confiscated under the government’s gun amnesty programme.

The announcement follows the recent suspension of the operating licence of Kantanka Security Services Limited after a shooting incident at Kwabenya that left former Dome-Kwabenya Member of Parliament, Sarah Adwoa Safo, injured.

The Ministry said the suspension was based on alleged regulatory violations involving the use of unauthorised uniforms and the possession and use of firearms and ammunition by some personnel of the security company while on duty.

Government officials say the latest measures form part of ongoing efforts to strengthen oversight of firearms ownership, improve compliance with regulations, and enhance public safety nationwide.