Senior Associate at Edfields Attorneys, Prince Benson Mankotam, has cautioned the public against the unlawful display and use of firearms in public spaces, stressing that such actions are criminal under Ghanaian law.

Speaking in an interview with Feeling Daddy on The Starr Showbiz, the legal practitioner explained that Ghana has sufficient legal frameworks governing the possession and use of firearms. However, the major issues remain enforcement and public education.

“We have laws that prohibit the wielding, brandishing, and discharging of firearms,” Mankotam said. “What people don’t understand is that the fact that you have a licensed gun does not necessarily mean that you can discharge it anywhere or at any time.”

He referenced Ghana’s Criminal Offences Act (Act 29), which criminalises unlawful possession and misuse of firearms. According to him, there are at least three firearm-related offences frequently enforced by the police: possessing a gun without a lawful excuse, carrying offensive weapons in public without authority, and discharging firearms in unauthorised settings.

“Even if you have a license, you are not allowed to display or discharge the gun in public without prior written consent from the Inspector General of Police (IGP),” he added. “Failure to comply could result in criminal charges.”

Citing previous incidents such as the altercation involving musicians Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy at the VGMA2019 awards event, Mankotam emphasised that even licensed gun holders could be penalised if they act outside the permitted scope of their license.

He also pointed to traditional events, such as the recent case involving media personality Kofi Adoma Nwanwani, where firearms were discharged. “The Arms and Ammunition Act, though old, still stands. It covers such situations, and using guns during performances or ceremonies without the proper permits is an offence,” he noted.

Mankotam urged gun owners to thoroughly read and understand the terms of their license. “Every permit has specific applications, where and how it can be used and even an expiration period. If your license expires and you don’t renew it, that alone is an offence,” he warned.

He concluded by stressing that while the laws exist, more needs to be done to educate the public and ensure enforcement is taken seriously.