Parliament in Ghana has passed into law the NCCB (Narcotics Control Commission Bill), with the Ministry of Interior being responsible of issuing licenses for the cultivation of cannabis. It came after the Supreme Court decided the law - Section 43 of Act 1019 - was unconstitutional, which delayed any smooth passage of the legislation to grant licenses for the cultivation of cannabis.

The Narcotics Control Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which consists of a single clause that, once passed, will empower the Minister to grant licenses for cannabis cultivation within the country. In response, HAG (Hempire Agric Ghana Limited) Chief Executive Officer, Nana Kwaku Agyemang, said: “The ruling is timely.”

The broadcaster, events manager, community and social services professional, Member of Parliament for Dormaa Central and Minister of Health, went on: “The Supreme Court didn't mince their words and they've done the right thing this time. I’m happy for all of us as Ghanaians. This is a victory for all Ghanaians.

“Ganga has healing qualities for all round illnesses and if this was already in operation, we wouldn’t have had to go to the IMF (International Monetary Fund) and stakeholders have had to wait for as long as this.” A Chartered Management Accountant with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Statistics from the University of Ghana, the multi-award-winning Nana Kwaku was the proud recipient of the Entrepreneur of The Year Award at The Phoenix Newspaper 10th Anniversary Gala Dinner & Awards + Conference, at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel Accra in 2022. 

At the event, he was also a specially invited guest at the The Phoenix Newspaper Be Bold! Conference, where the introduction of the ‘Peace Charter for Forgiveness and Reconciliation’ by GNNSJ as partners with The Phoenix Newspaper and the unveiling of the Phoenix Africa newspaper took place, in front of guests and award winners, which included His Royal Highness Nana Agyemekye Amlak Aduana Hene of Kwakye, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, Ben Amoako, Nana Tangme Abebio Mamano, Dr Kwadwo Safo Kantanka, Alistair Soyode, ‘King’ Chef Kano, Rev. Dr Sam Ato Bentil, Nana Prof. Susubribi Krobea Balfour Asante, Naa Bohugu Mahami Abdulai Shriga, Bhai Sahib Mohinder Singh OBE KSG, Amrick Singh Ubhi and The Phoenix Newspaper columnist, Khori Hyde, amongst many other noted international dignitaries. Nana Kwaku’s lists of achievements, alone, are abounding.

He contributed to the conference enlightening the attendees of his years of work, providing Ghana with the need to create a vitally important source of financial support this type of agriculture could bring to the people of the country, and Africa as a whole, and he insists that it is ready - despite any challenges: “We have to be able to legally grow cannabis for the financial benefit of all Ghanaians.

After a complimentary lunch and refreshments, everyone at the conference was exclusively given a complimentary gold ticket as a guest at The Phoenix Newspaper Gala Dinner and Awards Presentation.

The conference had key speakers including Commander RJ Walters, defence adviser to Accra & Non-Resident Attaché Adidjan, Lome and Cotonou, Stephen Osle-Ameche of Green Tropics International Group, Ghana, and Hotel Chocolat Plc, UK, Professor John Azumah, Executive Director of the Sannah Institute, in Ghana and Dr Josef Boehel, a Research Fellow at the University of Birmingham, UK amongst many other esteemed colleagues, hosted by RAF Media Reserves’ Cpl Jonathan Sarabadu, representing The Phoenix Newspaper.

“We have the marijuana seeds here, but we haven't got hemp seeds and that’s where it starts with.” The Defence and Interior Committee highlighted the potential benefits Ghana could gain by regulating the cultivation of cannabis with THC content not exceeding 0.3% on a dry weight basis. “Seeds already come in from Europe and guidelines are already in place, although I have to make it clear - you cannot smoke industrial cannabis,” Nana Kwaku said.  

“The THC, I must say, is extremely minimal, so there are no ill effects and the plant, all-round, can benefit us all in many ways. And, by cultivating industrial hemp, it will clear land that was previously very damaged – for one reason, or another. It’s a win-win!”

Under the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs treaty, the cultivation of cannabis for industrial purposes is limited to fibre and seed.”