The Ghana Police Service, in collaboration with other security agencies, on Wednesday arrested Mr. Daniel Adomako, known on social media as 'Sir Obama Pokuase', as part of ongoing intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling networks involved in the illegal possession and display of sophisticated weapons.

According to the Service in a statement, the suspect is assisting investigations into some images and videos he circulated on social media depicting individuals openly brandishing these illegally acquired sophisticated weapons.

The Ghana Police Service has beefed up its efforts to tackle the illegal possession of weapons and firearms by civilians.

An intelligence-led operation was conducted by a joint police and military team on August 1, after intelligence that some individuals believed to be involved in recent violent rioting activities in Nkwanta and its immediate environs were in possession of firearms and ammunition.

A thorough search of the premises led to the retrieval of two (2) single-barrel guns and four (4) AAA ammunition from the room of suspect Francis Donkor, 50, who was promptly arrested, escorted to the Police Station, and is currently in custody assisting with ongoing investigations.

The area was cordoned off to ensure the safety of all parties and to prevent any escape.

The retrieved exhibits (two single-barrel guns and four AAA ammunition) have been retained as evidence to support the investigation and possible prosecution.

The Ghana Police Service has noted that it remains committed to maintaining peace and public safety and strongly cautions the public against unlawful possession and use of firearms.

Established by an Act of Parliament in 2007, the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons (NACSA’s) mandate includes regulating the possession and control of small arms and light weapons, with a particular focus on curbing illegal production, trade, transfer, and cross-border movement of such weapons that contribute to crime and insecurity.

A 2019 KAIPTC report revealed that 2.3 million small arms are in civilian hands, with over 1.1 million unaccounted for.

Last year, the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons (NACSA) announced plans to conduct a nationwide firearms survey before the end of the year. However, reports suggest the survey did not take place as stated.

Speaking to The Independent Ghana, the Deputy Director in charge of Policy Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation, Gyebi Asante, indicated that this will be the third research of its kind since NACSA's inception. He noted that the survey aims to gather vital data on firearm ownership, usage, and proliferation across the country.

Mr. Asante stressed that the unchecked spread of small arms and light weapons is a serious threat to public safety, as it fuels criminal activities and armed conflicts and undermines efforts to maintain peace and security.

On July 9, the Anti-Armed Robbery Unit of the Ashanti Regional Police Command arrested two individuals for unlawful possession of firearms. This followed an intelligence-led operation carried out in the early hours of Tuesday, July 9.

The targeted operation, conducted at known hideouts in Nweneso, Trabuom, and Nkwawie, resulted in the arrest of Acheampong Kwadwo (21) and James Antwi Adjei (24).

A search conducted during the operation led to the recovery of two pump-action shotguns: one with serial number ASAO 2164 2021 and one without a serial number.

Both firearms are suspected to be stolen and were possibly intended for use in robbery operations across the Atwima Districts and the Greater Kumasi area.

The suspects are currently in police custody and assisting with ongoing investigations.

The recovered firearms have been retained as exhibits for evidential purposes.

The police noted that further updates will be communicated in due course as investigations progress.

In February this year, U.S. Army Major Kojo Owusu Dartey was sentenced to 70 months in prison and three years of supervised release for smuggling firearms to Ghana and making false statements to federal authorities.

The 42-year-old, based at Fort Liberty, was found guilty by a jury on April 23, 2024, on charges including conspiracy, illegal firearm dealing, false declarations in court, and exporting firearms without a license.

According to court records and trial evidence, Dartey orchestrated a firearms smuggling operation by purchasing seven firearms in North Carolina and instructing a U.S. Army Staff Sergeant at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, to buy three more and send them to him.

He then concealed the weapons inside blue barrels filled with rice and household goods before working with an Army Chief Warrant Officer to smuggle them through the Port of Baltimore, Maryland.

The barrels were shipped to the Port of Tema, Ghana, where Ghanaian authorities later seized them and alerted the DEA attaché in Ghana and the ATF Baltimore Field Division.

Dartey was also linked to a 16-defendant marriage fraud scheme involving soldiers at Fort Liberty and foreign nationals from Ghana. He provided information that led to its prosecution but later lied to federal law enforcement and under oath in court about his relationship with a defense witness during the U.S. v. Agyapong trial between June 28 and July 2, 2021.

His sentencing was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Daniel Bubar, following an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID), and the Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gabriel J. Diaz prosecuted the case.

The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has bemoaned the influx of unregistered arms and ammunition in the country.

During a working visit to the Northern Region on Wednesday, May 21, the minister noted that the current trend threatens national security.

“Let us see you abiding by the laws of our country. It’s the only way you will be able to help. The number of arms in the hands of our citizens is getting to an alarming level. It’s giving the Peace Council, police, and other security agencies a lot of headaches. At the least provocation, you hear a gunshot. How did the people get the guns?” he asked.

The minister, who also serves as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Asawase, called for a united effort to free the country from illegal arms.

“We have to get private people to partner with the government. The government alone cannot do it. Now technology is so easy that we should be able to use technology to detect who imports and sells the guns. What can we use technology to make our country safe?"

A 16-year-old form two student of Osei Kyeretwie Senior High School (OKESS) has been arrested by the Tafo Pankrono Divisional Police Command for illegally possessing a locally manufactured firearm.

The police arrested the suspect following a routine dormitory search by school authorities on Wednesday, May 14.

According to the accused, the weapon belonged to his stepfather, Mr. Daniel Owusu Baafi, who has been apprehended.

The Oguaa Traditional Council, on Monday, imposed a fine of GH¢30,000, three male white sheep and a carton of schnapps on Ato Trustworthy, a radio presenter with Elmina-based Ahomka FM, for making a misguided statement against the Council.

According to the Council, Mr Trustworthy would have to carry a sheep around his neck from the Oguaa Akoto monument near London Bridge through Kingsway to the Oguaamanhen’s house (Efiekesem) and finally to Emintsimadze Palace, where traditional rites would be performed to appease the gods.

Additionally, Mr Trustworthy is expected to within 14 days, issue an unequivocal apology to the Council and the people of Cape Coast for bringing the name of the Oguaamanhen, Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, the Traditional Council and the entire people of Oguaa into disrepute.

On Monday, the Council rescinded its decision not to accept his apology following insistent pleas by Mr Trustworthy’s team, led by Rev Father Joojo Gyepi-Garbrah of the Christ Church Anglican Cathedral in Cape Coast.

Nana Benya, the Linguist, announced the Council’s decision after a 45 minutes deliberation amidst incessant pleas.

The Council, had rejected his apology about a fortnight ago when he appeared before them.

It would be recalled that Mr Trustworthy in a viral TikTok video, made disparaging comments, after an incident at the opening of PANAFEST 2025 celebration when the Asafo Companies in Oguaa reportedly denied Nana Kwodwo Condua VI, the Omanhen of the Edina Traditional Area entry to the durbar grounds at the Victoria Park in Cape Coast.

According to a source, Osabarimba Kwesi Atra as the host, should be the last to arrive at the durbar grounds, however, Nana Condua came after him in a palanquin and was asked to disembark and walk to the grounds but he refused and went back.

Commenting on the issue in a video, Mr Trustworthy amidst other derogatory comments, referred to the Omanhen of Edina and Omanhen of Oguaa as “two small boys,” a remark seen as highly disrespectful by the Council and all well meaning people.

Mr Trustworthy had sometime back, made similar misguided utterances, about the Council but was cautioned and his apology was accepted.

The Council said it was very determined to stop such conducts moving forward, adding that Mr Trustworthy’s predicaments should serve as a powerful reminder to all media practitioners to exercise utmost respect and responsibility in their utterances, particularly when addressing revered traditional authorities and sacred cultural events.

“Let all journalists be guided by integrity, accuracy, and respect in their reporting to preserve the dignity of our traditions and communities,” the Council said.

Mr Trustworthy, visibly humbled, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to make amends and pledged to fulfil the directives accordingly.

The Omanhen of Oguaa Traditional Area though did not sit in the deliberation, in a remark thereafter, emphasised the importance of upholding cultural values and respect for traditional authority, particularly from individuals in the media space who wield public influence.

“My palace is a place of peace and reconciliation. We welcome Ato Trustworthy’s remorse, but tradition must be followed for peace to prevail,” said Osabarimba.

On Friday, August 1, 2025, at the Tufohen of the Oguaa Traditional Area, Nana Kwame Edu VI, at a press conference, described the breach of protocol during the July 26 durbar as “regrettable and avoidable.”

He emphasised that PANAFEST was not merely a festival but a sacred occasion to honour their ancestors and promote unity.

Nana Edu explained that customary in Akan and coastal traditions demanded that the host Omanhen should be the last to arrive at a grand durbar, symbolising his role as Commander-in-Chief.