The Director in Charge of Policy, Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation at the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons has described the use of arms and ammunition by private security companies as criminal.
He stated that such actions constitute a criminal offence that is strictly punishable by law.
His comments follow the decision by the Ministry for the Interior to suspend the license of a private security company, Kantanka Security Services.
Speaking on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, he explained that only state security agencies—including the Police, Military, and other authorised bodies—are permitted to carry arms and ammunition.
While private individuals can legally possess firearms if they have successfully navigated the lawful approval process, he was quick to clarify that private security guards are strictly prohibited from using guns in the line of duty.
The Ministry for the Interior suspended the operating licence of Kantanka Security Services Limited with immediate effect after a shooting incident left the former MP for Dome-Kwabenya, Adwoa Safo, hospitalised.
According to the Ministry, the suspension was triggered by the alleged use of unprescribed uniforms, alongside the unauthorised possession and use of firearms and ammunition by company personnel while providing security services in Kwabenya, Accra, on 21 June 2026.
Preliminary investigations indicate potential breaches of the Police Service (Private Security Organisations) Regulations, 1992 (L.I. 1571), which governs the operations of private security organisations in Ghana.
Commenting on the incident, Mr Gyebi stated, “Under no circumstances are private security companies permitted to use guns in the line of their work. The law does not allow that. Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak spoke about this at a press conference and was categorical in his address. So if there is any private security company using guns, it is unlawful and a criminal offence.”
He further revealed that some private individuals, fully aware that privatr security companies cannot operate with firearms, apply for gun licences in their personal capacity and then hand those weapons over to private security guards. He categorically stated that this practice is also an offence, warning that if these firearms are used to commit crimes, the registered owners will face prosecution.
He stressed, “Under no circumstances can private security guards operate with guns. The law frowns on it. The only circumstance is when individuals in their personal capacity apply for guns to defend themselves, but not to use them as private security officers.”
He has therefore cautioned the public, and private security companies in particular, to desist from such illegal activities or face severe sanctions.
