"Pump-action and locally manufactured guns are the most abused in Ghana” – Interior Minister

The Minister for Interior, Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, has revealed that pump-action shotguns and locally manufactured firearms remain the most abused weapons in Ghana, posing a significant challenge to the country's efforts to combat illegal arms possession and gun-related crimes.

Speaking to journalists in Accra on Tuesday on the conclusion of the 2025/2026 Gun Amnesty Programme, Mr. Muntaka said data gathered from firearm recovery operations and voluntary surrender exercises indicate that pump-action guns account for a substantial portion of weapons found in the possession of unauthorized individuals.

According to the Minister, although sophisticated firearms such as AK-47 assault rifles and G3 rifles are occasionally recovered by security agencies, they are not as prevalent as pump-action and locally manufactured guns.

"Pump-action guns and locally manufactured firearms are the most abused firearms in the country. Even in recent operations conducted by the security agencies, pump-action guns were dominant among the weapons recovered," he stated.

Mr. Muntaka explained that the government is implementing measures to improve firearm accountability through the registration, marking and tracing of weapons surrendered under the amnesty programme.

He noted that firearms voluntarily surrendered by individuals who no longer wish to possess them will be earmarked for destruction.

However, persons who surrendered weapons with the intention of regularizing their ownership will undergo a vetting process to determine whether they qualify to legally possess firearms.

"If a person is qualified to own a firearm, the weapon will be properly registered, assigned a unique identification number and returned to the owner. If the person fails the vetting process, the firearm will be added to those scheduled for destruction," he explained.

The Minister stressed that the amnesty programme was not designed to punish individuals who came forward voluntarily but rather to encourage compliance with Ghana's firearms regulations and improve national security.

He further disclosed that every firearm collected under the amnesty programme or seized during police operations is being marked before transportation and destruction to ensure traceability and accountability.

According to him, the marking process allows authorities to track the movement of each weapon and identify its origin in the event it goes missing while in state custody.

Mr. Muntaka also revealed that government is engaging traditional authorities, including Regional Houses of Chiefs and the National House of Chiefs, to address the growing concern over the use of firearms during festivals, funerals and other ceremonial events.

He said authorities are considering a framework that would identify and train designated individuals for ceremonial firing where necessary, while ensuring strict adherence to safety regulations.

The Interior Minister reiterated that indiscriminate firing at public gatherings remains prohibited and warned that violators would face the full rigours of the law.

He added that firearm owners whose licences have expired will be given a grace period to regularize their documentation.

However, those who fail to comply after repeated reminders risk having their weapons confiscated and could face prosecution.

The government, he said, remains committed to strengthening firearm control measures, enhancing weapons tracing systems, and reducing the circulation of illegal arms across the country.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith