CSOs challenge blanket suspension of civilian firearm licences, call for legal clarity and public consultation

The Executive Director of the Jatikay Centre for Human Security and Peace Building, Adib Saani, has urged the government to reconsider the blanket suspension or revocation of civilian firearm licences, describing the directive as requiring greater legal clarity, public education, and stakeholder consultation.

Addressing a press conference on behalf of the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations Against the Proliferation of Small Arms, on Monday, July 6, 2026, Adib Saani said, the coalition fully supports responsible firearm regulation but believes reforms should be implemented through a transparent and predictable legal framework.

He stressed that the coalition is not opposed to stronger gun control measures such as mandatory firearms training, mental health assessments, drug testing, background checks, and enhanced oversight of civilian-owned firearms. However, he argued that any reforms affecting lawful firearm owners must be guided by due process and proper communication.

“We are not opposed to firearms regulation. We are not against responsible gun control. We are not against mental health assessment, drug testing, firearms training, background checks, or stronger state oversight of weapons in civilian hands,” he said.

He criticised the implementation of the Interior Ministry’s directive, saying it has created uncertainty among licensed firearm holders because the government has yet to clearly explain whether the exercise is a licence revocation, suspension, recall, audit, or re-registration process.

He called on the Ministry of the Interior to publish detailed implementation guidelines, including the legal basis for the directive, categories of persons affected, timelines, approved testing centres, applicable fees, exemptions, and an appeals process for those whose licences may be refused or withdrawn.

“We call on the Ministry of the Interior to clarify whether this is a revocation, suspension, recall, audit or re-registration exercise. These words have different legal meanings. Citizens must not be left confused,” he stated.

The security expert also faulted the lack of nationwide public education, noting that firearm regulation affects public safety, policing, and national security and should not be implemented without extensive public awareness campaigns.

According to him, the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons should have led a comprehensive sensitisation campaign through the media, community engagement, and local-language education to ensure that firearm owners understood the new requirements before enforcement began.

Adib Saani further warned that the directive could undermine confidence in the government’s recent firearms amnesty programme, during which thousands of unregistered weapons were voluntarily surrendered or presented for regularisation.

He said public trust is essential to the success of such programmes and cautioned that sudden policy shifts could discourage citizens from participating in future amnesty exercises.

The Jatikay Centre also renewed calls for Parliament to prioritise the passage of a new Arms Bill to replace Ghana’s outdated firearms legislation.

According to Saani, the proposed law would strengthen licensing procedures, improve firearm tracing systems, regulate dealers, establish certified shooting ranges, modernise data management, and bring Ghana’s firearms regime in line with international standards.

He maintained that the country’s growing security challenges require comprehensive legislative reform rather than blanket administrative directives.

The coalition recommended that government replace the nationwide suspension with a phased regional audit and revalidation exercise, publish a national implementation framework within one month, establish certified regional firearms training centres, strengthen public education, create an independent appeals mechanism, and intensify efforts to combat illegal arms trafficking and illicit firearm manufacturing.

Saani concluded by urging the government to pursue reforms that balance public safety with the rights of lawful firearm owners.

He said Ghana needs a modern, transparent, and accountable firearms control system that protects lives while upholding due process, legal certainty, and public confidence in state institutions.