The Interior Ministry has announced major changes to Ghana’s firearm licensing system. The reforms will require applicants to undergo mental health assessments, drug screening and firearms training before obtaining or renewing a licence.
Interior Minister Muntaka Mubarak announced the measures during an interview on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show.
He said the current system has weaknesses that allow people to acquire firearm licences without proper psychological assessment or skills training.
Three requirements for firearm licences
Under the new framework, applicants must satisfy three conditions before a licence is approved or renewed.
These include a mental health evaluation, a drug test and firearms training.
“Immediately — we have a training range at Tesano. We have the Narcotics Control Commission that is ready to do the drug test. And then we have the Mental Health Authority that is ready to do the mental health,” the Minister said.
New checks come amid concerns over gun misuse
The announcement follows reports of a shooting incident involving former Dome-Kwabenya MP Sarah Adwoa Safo at a property linked to Israel Safo in the Greater Accra Region.
The incident is connected to a succession dispute within the Kristo Asafo Mission following the death of its founder, Apostle Professor Kwadwo Safo, in September last year.
According to a statement from the Kwadwo Safo family, Ms Adwoa Safo had gone to the property to serve a court injunction during an installation ceremony involving Israel Safo when the shooting occurred.
The allegations are being investigated by the police.
Security agencies to conduct background checks
Mr Mubarak said the ministry will also strengthen background checks on applicants.
According to him, applications will be referred to security agencies for screening before approval.
“What I’ll first do is to refer to the BNI to do a background check on you, the CID to do a background check on you. They check on their system that you have not committed any crime,” he said.
The Minister also warned that firearms licensed for personal protection cannot be used for private security work.
He said doing so would amount to a violation of licensing conditions.
Plans to digitise licensing process
The Interior Ministry is also working to digitise the firearm licensing process to improve monitoring and enforcement.
However, the Minister did not explain how people living in rural communities, including farmers who depend on licensed firearms for protection, would access the training facility in Tesano and meet the new requirements.
The reforms form part of broader efforts to address concerns over the misuse of firearms following recent incidents involving legally registered weapons.
