Member of the National Democratic Communication team, Hamza Suhuyini, has called on the government to consider a digital approach to the planned nationwide firearm re-registration exercise, arguing that an online system would make compliance easier and help achieve the policy’s intended objectives.
His proposal follows the Ministry of the Interior’s decision to revoke all existing firearm licences across the country, effective June 23, 2026, and require all gun owners to undergo a fresh licensing process under a stricter regulatory regime.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on Wednesday, June 24, Suhuyini said the government should leverage existing records held by the Ghana Police Service rather than rely solely on a fresh registration exercise that requires firearm holders to physically present themselves.
According to him, authorities already possess valuable information on previously registered firearm owners and should use that database to identify and contact individuals directly, ensuring they comply with the new requirements.
“You know the attitude in this country. The fact that people registered in the past means that if you are now calling them to come and register again, it becomes a disincentive in itself. Because of the hassle involved in going through another registration process, many of them may not be interested in doing so,” he stated.
The proposed online registration platform he said, would allow firearm owners to begin the process remotely by submitting relevant information, including photographs, serial numbers and other supporting evidence for verification.
“My appeal to the Minister for the Interior is to make the process simple, friendly and easy to go through,” he added.
The call comes after Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak announced a comprehensive overhaul of Ghana’s firearms licensing regime, citing weaknesses in the current system and concerns over the misuse of legally acquired firearms.
