Minister of Interior, Ambrose Dery, has rebuked the media for its portrayal of him as a ‘ganja master‘ in the aftermath of the passage of the Narcotics Control Commission Bill, 2023, referred to as the ‘wee bill.
The Minister accused the media of sidestepping their responsibility to inform the public about the bill’s significance and resorting instead to name-calling.
“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,” expressed Mr. Dery during the debate on the Narcotics Control Commission (Cultivation and Management of Cannabis) Regulation, 2023, on Friday.
The newly enacted law designates the Ministry of Interior to issue licenses for cannabis cultivation, paving the way for diverse applications of the plant.
Hon. Dery commended Parliament for their efforts, emphasizing the need to educate the public about the bill’s contents.
However, the legislation faced a setback when the Supreme Court declared section 43 unconstitutional. This section, empowering the Minister to grant licenses for cannabis cultivation based on the Commission’s recommendation, was removed due to its unconstitutional nature.
In a bid to harness the potential benefits of cannabis cultivation, Ghana aims to explore its industrial applications and regulated medicinal use.
The government envisions controlled cultivation with limited THC content, emphasizing its potential in fibre and seed production.
Not all members of Parliament are in unanimous agreement with the new legislation.
Minority Whip, Governs Kwame Agbodza, expressed concern about the Committee of Subsidiary Legislation’s report, stating, “The dangers of cannabis have not been adequately addressed.”
Mr. Agbodza highlighted existing challenges with illegal cannabis use and questioned the potential impact of commercial cultivation and production.
As Ghana navigates the intricate landscape of cannabis legislation, the clash of perspectives within Parliament raises questions about the balance between economic opportunities and potential societal risks associated with the ‘wee bill.’
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