The Ghana Police Service has arrested 64 suspects at a lounge near Achimota Mile 7 in the Greater Accra Region over alleged unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, following complaints from residents about suspected criminal activity, including the open display and possible trading of weapons.
The operation was carried out by the Office of the Special Operations Assistant to the Inspector-General of Police (SOA), in collaboration with the National SWAT, and announced in a Facebook post on Friday, September 25, 2026.
According to the police, officers identified a blue, unregistered Acura vehicle during the raid and found a pistol holster inside. No one at the scene claimed ownership of the holster, and the vehicle was impounded and conveyed to Police Headquarters for further investigations.
One of the suspects, Theophilus Ashon, claimed to be a police officer attached to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Operations. However, checks conducted by the police established that he was not a member of the Ghana Police Service.
A search of Ashon allegedly led to the recovery of a Smith & Wesson pistol loaded with six rounds of 9mm ammunition.
Further investigations led officers to Atico, where another suspect, Michael Emmanuel Kingsley Mills, was arrested. A search of Mills’ residence allegedly resulted in the recovery of three pump-action guns, four pistols, 62 AA and BB cartridges, 54 rounds of .40-calibre ammunition, and other exhibits.
The 64 suspects are currently in police custody assisting with investigations and are expected to be put before court. Police have not yet disclosed the specific charges, but unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition is a criminal offence under Ghanaian law.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about illegal firearms in Ghana. The country’s firearms regime is primarily governed by the Arms and Ammunition Act, 1972 (NRCD 9), which requires a valid licence for the possession, import, export, sale, or transfer of firearms and ammunition. The Ghana National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons has repeatedly warned about the risks posed by illicit weapons, while the police have intensified intelligence-led operations targeting illegal firearms in recent years.
The involvement of the National SWAT and the SOA underscores the seriousness with which the Police Administration treats reports of illegal weapons, particularly in busy residential and commercial areas such as Achimota Mile 7, where nightlife and informal activity can create opportunities for criminal networks. Police have not said whether the suspects are linked to any organised crime group.
Impersonation of security personnel is also a recurring concern. Under Ghanaian law, falsely claiming to be a public officer is an offence, and police have frequently warned the public to verify the identities of persons presenting themselves as officers.
Regional security analysts have warned that illicit small arms trafficking from the Sahel has increasingly affected coastal West African states, including Ghana, making police crackdowns on unlicensed weapons a priority.
The police have urged residents to continue providing information on suspected criminal activities to assist law enforcement agencies in maintaining public safety and security. They also reminded the public that all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
