Security analyst, Irbad Ibrahim has called for a complete ban on the use of guns at public celebrations in Ghana following the tragic death of a young girl during the 2025 Bimbila Fire Festival. Speaking on the TeknoKrat Show on Focus FM with host Sika Audrey Dzifa, Ibrahim strongly condemned the use of firearms and gunpowder in public festivities, describing them as unnecessary and dangerous.
“A gun is not a toy—it is a tool of destruction,” he said. “If it doesn’t kill you, it can cripple or maim you.
People do not attend festivals to leave injured or dead.” The child, who had sneaked out to witness the annual fire festival, was struck by a stray bullet—a grim incident that has reignited concerns over gun safety during public events.
According to Ibrahim, the cultural relevance of making noise during such events should not come at the cost of human life. “Our ancestors celebrated without firearms.
If noise is the goal, there are safer alternatives,” he argued. He expressed deep concern over Ghana’s growing gun culture and urged for tighter regulations.
“The ease with which people access firearms is alarming. Licensing regimes must be more rigorous, and third-party usage should be discouraged.
A gun may be licensed, but in the wrong hands, it becomes a threat to public safety.” He further called on cultural and political stakeholders to reassess practices that compromise public safety and human rights.
“Laws were made by people, not the other way around. We must not hesitate to amend traditions that endanger lives,” he stated.
Ibrahim’s remarks add to growing public pressure on authorities to prioritize safety during traditional celebrations while preserving their cultural significance in nonviolent ways.