The Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has said that while other countries are making millions of Dollars from the cultivation of cannabis for industrial use, Ghana is losing out.
To that end, he has expressed concern over a decision by the Supreme Court that the Clause in the bill that is seeking to amend the Narcotics Control Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019) to empower the Minister of Interior to grant a license for the cultivation of cannabis for industrial use or for medicinal purposes, was unconstitutional.
The Supreme Court struck out the law on granting licence to grow cannabis, popularly known as ‘wee’, because there was no debate in Parliament on it before its passage into law, as stipulated by Article 106 (5) (6) of the 1992 Constitution.
But the Speaker who indicated that the country is losing out because of this decision, said he made his displeasure over the ruling known to the justices of the apex court in a meeting and urged them to consult Parliament for proper briefings whenever they are making such decisions.
He said these after the presentation and the first reading of the Narcotics Regulation Commission Amendment Bill, 2023, by the Minister of Interior, Ambrose Dery on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, July 6.
“I hope that the three arms of government will work together and respect each other. In cases of doubt, it is important to consult the other arm before giving finality to whatever decision the other arm wants to take.
“I don’t think that it is proper for the judiciary to, without knowing how we conduct our business here, really go into how we conduct the business and make such an important decision without consulting the house, that is improper. I have made this known to them and I want this to be known publicly, this is for the benefit of the country. So please, committee, you are given one week to submit your report.”
Earlier when the Speaker paid a courtesy call on the management of Media General in Accra on Thursday, June 29 he stated that narcotics is one area the government can generate revenue domestically to fund development projects.
