The Ministry of the Interior has eased its earlier decision to revoke firearm licences, granting valid licence holders until December 2026 to complete mandatory firearms training, mental health assessments and drug tests before renewing their permits.
Speaking before Parliament’s Assurances Committee on Tuesday, July 7, Interior Minister Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka explained that legitimate firearm licence holders will be allowed to continue possessing their weapons until their current permits expire. Upon expiry, they will be required to meet the new conditions before their licences can be renewed, despite the Ministry’s earlier directive suspending all registered firearm licences.
The decision marks a revision of the Ministry’s June 23 directive, which suspended all registered firearm licences as part of efforts to address gaps in Ghana’s firearm licensing regime, improve compliance and prevent the misuse of legally acquired weapons.
According to the Interior Minister, the adjustment became necessary because many citizens have been affected by the June 29 floods that impacted seven regions, making immediate compliance with the new requirements an additional burden.
“Initially we sent a message and then we had this flood that has affected seven regions; we are rational human beings. People are going through a lot of challenges and trauma. Based on the data that we have, over a hundred thousand people are having these challenges,” he said.
He added that the government considered it unfair to place further pressure on affected persons by requiring immediate compliance. As a result, valid firearm licence holders will be allowed to retain their licences until December 31, 2026, before completing the mandatory renewal requirements.
The Minister further stressed that the mandatory mental health screening, drug testing and firearms training are intended to strengthen accountability and promote responsible firearm ownership in Ghana.
