The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has issued a firm caution that the sale, possession, and recreational consumption of cannabis continue to constitute criminal offences in Ghana, despite the formal establishment of a regulated framework for medicinal and industrial cannabis cultivation. The declaration came during the official inauguration of the Medicinal Cannabis Regulatory Programme on Thursday, February 26, 2026, in Accra, which the Minister described as a landmark moment in the country’s drug control and economic development trajectory.
Speaking at the event, the Minister emphasised that while new laws provide a comprehensive framework for lawful cultivation and use, the legalisation is strictly limited to controlled industrial and medicinal purposes. He referenced the passage of the Narcotic Control Commission Act, 2023 (Act 1100) and the associated Narcotic Control Commission (Cultivation, Management of Cannabis) Regulations, 2023 as creating a structured, transparent, and Ghanaian-owned system for cannabis management that aligns with both national legislation and international best practices.
“Let me state unequivocally,” the Minister asserted, “the recreational consumption of cannabis, commonly referred to as weed, remains illegal under Section 45 of Act 1019. Engaging in recreational cannabis is still a prosecutable offence, and the sale, purchase, or possession without authorisation is subject to criminal sanctions.” He further warned that the public must not conflate the medicinal programme with recreational use, stressing that dealing in cannabis for personal gratification is expressly prohibited.
The Interior Minister clarified that the regulatory regime is designed to govern cannabis varieties with negligible psychoactive effects, ensuring that cultivation and utilisation are restricted to approved industrial or medicinal purposes. He assured that enforcement agencies will uphold the law rigorously while regulators guarantee that licensed operators remain compliant with the stipulated statutory boundaries.
As part of the programme launch, the government also introduced stringent entry requirements for prospective investors and operators. Applicants for cultivation or processing licences are now required to demonstrate confirmed off-takers for their products before a licence is granted. “Licences will not be issued without proof of a secured market,” the Minister emphasised, explaining that this measure is intended to prevent diversion into illicit markets and to safeguard public safety. The directive applies across the entire cannabis value chain, encompassing growers, processors, transporters, and investors.
Further regulatory details were provided regarding licensing. Eleven separate licences are mandated for distinct activities, including cultivation, processing, transportation, import, and export. Each licence is non-transferable and activity-specific. “Cultivation alone does not entitle you to transport the product. A separate licence is required for that activity,” he clarified.
The Minister acknowledged that Ghana does not yet domestically produce the specialised low-THC cannabis seeds necessary for the programme, and therefore initial imports must be conducted under official licence. He characterised this as a business opportunity for entrepreneurs while encouraging research institutions to invest in developing indigenous seed varieties over time.
Compliance and enforcement will be maintained through coordinated oversight by the Interior Ministry in collaboration with the Narcotics Control Commission and other security agencies. Measures include GPS tracking, drone surveillance, and unannounced inspections of licensed facilities, with support from the Police Service, Immigration Service, Prisons Service, and the National Investigations Bureau. Licensed operations must also maintain a minimum distance of 100 metres from schools or residential areas, and quarterly reporting obligations are mandatory.
The Minister stressed the potential consequences of regulatory breaches, noting that non-compliance could jeopardise Ghana’s international reputation and risk blacklisting in global markets. “If we fail to implement the law correctly, Ghana’s efforts and credibility will be undermined,” he warned.
While recognising the economic prospects of the sector, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak underlined that public safety remains the government’s foremost priority. “Our primary concern is security and public protection. Economic benefits will follow if the programme is executed correctly,” he stated.
The introduction of the off-taker requirement and multiple activity-specific licences is expected to reshape participation in the emerging cannabis industry, raising the threshold for entry and limiting licences to investors with verified operational readiness from production through to sale.
Concluding his remarks, the Minister reiterated the government’s openness to stakeholder engagement while asserting strict adherence to the legal framework. “Our doors are open around the clock, yet the law’s intent will be fully enforced,” he affirmed, signalling a balanced approach between fostering economic opportunity and ensuring rigorous regulatory compliance.
