Ghana to roll out digital gun licensing system by December 2025

The Ministry of the Interior has announced plans to launch a digital firearms licensing platform in December 2025, a move aimed at tightening oversight of gun ownership and curbing illegal possession.

Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, addressing Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Tuesday, said the system will replace the current manual process with a more efficient, tech-driven approach.

The new platform will:

Allow licence holders to renew permits online and make payments via mobile money or bank transfer.

Send automatic reminders three months before expiry.

Flag applicants with criminal records, requiring them to renew in person.

Link all firearm licences to the Ghana Card to track holders, even if they change addresses.

His remarks came after committee member Helen Adjoa Ntoso raised concerns about 606 firearms currently in civilian hands without valid licences.

Inspector-General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, added that the Police Service had already built a national database of licensed gun owners and was intensifying sensitisation campaigns.

Mr Mubarak assured that the digital system will not only streamline renewals but also strengthen the police’s ability to seize weapons illegally held.