The Minister of Interior, Ambrose Dery, has criticized the media’s portrayal of him as a ‘ganja master’ following the passage of the Narcotics Control Commission Bill, 2023, commonly known as the ‘wee bill.’
Mr. Dery accused the media of neglecting their duty to educate the public about the bill’s significance and instead resorting to name-calling.
During the debate on the Narcotics Control Commission (Cultivation and Management of Cannabis) Regulation, 2023, on Friday, the Interior Minister expressed his displeasure with the media, stating, “My name appeared in front of one of the newspapers after the law was passed and it said, ‘Mr. Ambrose Dery, ganja master.’ Of course, that was wrong; I’m no ganja master.”
The recently enacted law designates the Ministry of Interior to issue licenses for the cultivation of cannabis, creating opportunities for the plant’s various beneficial applications.
Hon. Dery commended Parliament for its efforts, emphasizing the importance of educating the public about the bill’s contents.
However, the legislation faced a setback when the Supreme Court declared section 43 unconstitutional.
This section had previously empowered the Minister to grant licenses for cannabis cultivation based on the Commission’s recommendation. The amendment removed this provision due to its unconstitutional nature.
With the revised law, Ghana aims to leverage the potential benefits of cannabis cultivation, exploring its industrial applications and regulated medicinal use.
The government envisions controlled cultivation with limited THC content, emphasizing its potential in fibre and seed production.
Despite the positive outlook, not all members of Parliament are comfortable with the new legislation.
Minority Whip, Governs Kwame Agbodza, expressed concern about the Committee of Subsidiary Legislation’s report not adequately addressing the dangers of cannabis.
Mr. Agbodza highlighted existing challenges with illegal cannabis use in the population and raised questions about the potential impact of commercial cultivation and production.