The Interior Minister of Ghana, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has raised concerned over the disturbing increase in illegal arms circulating across Ghana, warning that the nation is edging closer to a public safety crisis.
Speaking during a high-stakes meeting with regional security agencies on Wednesday, May 21, in the Northern Region, the minister didn’t mince words. He painted a dire picture of growing lawlessness fueled by unregistered and untraceable firearms, now in the hands of civilians at what he described as “alarming levels.”
“At the least provocation, you hear a gunshot. How did the people get the guns?” Mohammed-Mubarak stated with frustration.
According to him, these unauthorized weapons are not just a legal problem, they’re a national threat. The proliferation has contributed to a disturbing trend of impulsive gunfire, often over trivial disputes. The Interior Minister warned that this culture of violence is straining the capacities of law enforcement and peacekeeping bodies, including the Peace Council and police.
Mohammed-Mubarak, who also serves as MP for Asawase, is calling for urgent and united action. He urged stakeholders across public and private sectors to collaborate, emphasizing that the government alone cannot combat the crisis. Central to his proposed solution is leveraging modern technology to monitor gun imports, track firearm ownership, and prevent further illegal distribution.
“We should be able to use technology to detect who imports and sells the guns,” he said. “Let’s use innovation to make our country safe.”
As part of broader security reforms, the minister is pushing for a nationwide campaign to register all civilian-held firearms, hoping to create a system of accountability that could slow the tide of illegal weapons.
The warning comes amid growing public concern over rising violent incidents, particularly in regions already grappling with tensions. With the Interior Ministry taking a firmer stance, the next steps could shape the country’s approach to civilian arms control for years to come.
