The 2024 Auditor-General’s report has revealed a troubling security lapse: over 600 firearms are currently being illegally held by civilians whose licenses have expired and have not been renewed.
The issue came to light during a Public Accounts Committee sitting on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, where Interior Minister Muntaka Mubarak, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Christian Tetteh Yohuno, and other security agency heads appeared before the Committee. A Committee member highlighted the infraction, noting that the Auditor-General’s report flagged 606 firearms as unlawfully possessed due to license expiration and non-renewal. “We obtained the 606 illegal possession of firearms from the licenses issued from the general counterpull receipts to holders of firearms,” the report stated.
IGP Yohuno responded by explaining that the Ghana Police Service is actively compiling a database of all licensed gun holders as recommended by the audit. The police are now sensitizing gun owners to renew their licenses on time, with an ongoing exercise to notify holders when renewal is due. “We are getting the names of all persons so that even when the time is due the police will call you to come renew your license. This exercise is ongoing now,” Yohuno told the Committee.
Interior Minister Mubarak has called for a complete digital overhaul of Ghana’s firearms licensing system. He argued that digitization will close loopholes in the current manual system and ensure timely renewals to prevent further illegal possession. “One of the challenges is that everything they do is manual…these 606 that they are talking about they are scattered across the country. We are currently working on digitalizing almost every system in the Ministry. We are almost at the tail end of it and very hopeful by November, December it should come on board,” Mubarak stated.
The digital upgrade is expected to enhance oversight and reduce risks associated with illegally held firearms in Ghana.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com
