I Was Vehemently Against Gun-Salute In My House- Muntaka Mubarak

Interior Minister-designate Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak has publicly disapproved of a celebratory gun salute that took place at his residence following his nomination.

A viral video circulating on social media showed a uniformed policeman firing shots into the air to mark the occasion. The Asawase Member of Parliament, dressed in an all-white agbada, was seen stepping out of his home to meet a jubilant crowd congratulating him.

The incident has sparked mixed reactions among Ghanaians, with many questioning the appropriateness of the action and the potential repercussions for the officer involved. Critics also raised concerns about the explanation the policeman would provide to his superiors regarding the discharged ammunition.

Appearing before the Appointments Committee of Parliament on January 24, Muntaka addressed the issue, firmly distancing himself from the gun salute. He revealed that he was strongly opposed to the act and took immediate steps to address it.

“I was vehemently against that shooting in my house, which is why I came out and have since made the officer apologise because I didn’t think that was right,” Muntaka stated.

The nominee did not elaborate on how the apology was conveyed but made it clear that he considered the act inappropriate.

During the vetting, Abetifi MP Bryan Acheampong humorously brought up the incident, subtly mocking Muntaka’s demeanour in the video. Acheampong joked that during a gun salute, the nominee should have been standing in a position of attention. This remark elicited laughter from the audience, adding a lighter tone to the otherwise serious proceedings.

The incident has reignited discussions about firearm usage among law enforcement officers in non-official settings. Many have called for stricter protocols to prevent similar occurrences in the future, particularly in a country where firearm safety is a pressing issue.

Muntaka’s condemnation of the act and his swift action to seek an apology suggest his commitment to upholding discipline and proper conduct within Ghana’s security services as he prepares to assume the role of interior minister.