Interior Minister Suspends All Active Gun Licenses in Ghana After Adwoa Safo Shooting Incident
· YEN.com.gh News · Join- Interior Minister Muntaka Mubarak announced the suspension of all registered firearm licences in Ghana, effective as of June 23
- The minister cited a 'new phenomenon threatening public safety' and gaps in compliance as reasons for the sweeping directive
- The announcement follows a reported shooting incident linked to an ongoing succession battle within the Kristo Asafo Mission
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The government has announced the immediate suspension of all registered firearm licences across the country, effective from 12 noon on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.
The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mubarak, said the directive forms part of a broader reset of Ghana's weapons ownership and control system, aimed at tightening oversight, improving accountability, and strengthening national security.
Source: Getty Images
Minister Mubarak told Joy FM the suspension applies universally to all current licence holders without exception.
"Everybody in Ghana who currently holds a legitimate license to hold a gun, today, I am suspending all of it. All of it that everybody is holding."
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Gun licence suspension amid planned audit
He explained that the move would allow authorities to conduct a comprehensive audit and restructuring of the firearms control system, pointing to compliance breaches and the misuse of legally registered weapons as key concerns.
Authorities stated that the nationwide suspension was intended to stabilise the firearms system while investigations and reforms are carried out.
As captured in a post on X, the minister later announced the directive in a press conference on June 23.
Gun licence suspension follows Adwoa Safo shooting
The announcement follows the shooting incident involving former Member of Parliament Sarah Adwoa Safo at a property linked to Israel Safo in the Greater Accra Region.
The incident is connected to an ongoing succession dispute within the Kristo Asafo Mission, a religious organisation whose founder, Apostle Kwadwo Safo Kantanka, died in September 2025.
His death triggered competing claims over the leadership of the church and its associated institutions, with legal processes already underway.
Source: TikTok
In a statement, the family alleged that Adwoa Safo was at the property to serve a court injunction during an installation event involving Israel Safo when the shooting occurred.
In the aftermath of the incident, the Ghana Police Service arrested six private security guards and retrieved a cache of weapons. On Monday, June 22, the Ghana Police Service confirmed Akofena’s arrest for his alleged involvement in the incident.
The minister did not directly link the firearm suspension to the Kristo Asafo dispute.
However, the timing of the announcement, coming in the immediate aftermath of the reported shooting, has drawn significant public attention to the broader question of firearm accountability in Ghana.
Interior Ministry shuts down Kantanka Security Services
YEN.com.gh also previously reported that the Interior Ministry had announced that the licence of Kantanka Security Services had been suspended.
A statement said the violations included the usage of unprescribed uniforms and unauthorised possession and use of firearms and other security accoutrements.
According to its website, Kantanka Security Service is one of the latest additions to the company's portfolio and handles private security for institutions, corporates, and more.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh