The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has urged Ghanaians to distinguish between legally approved industrial cannabis cultivation and the illegal production of narcotic substances.
He said the government has intensified public education on the country’s drug laws to address misconceptions surrounding cannabis cultivation and ensure that citizens understand the difference between regulated industrial use and prohibited activities.
Speaking before Parliament’s Public Assurance Committee, the Minister dismissed claims that some farmers are unaware of the legal requirements governing cannabis cultivation, insisting that continuous sensitisation programmes have been conducted across the country.
According to him, the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) undertook more than 2,100 community engagement programmes in 2025, reaching over 500,000 students as part of efforts to educate the public on drug-related issues.
Mr. Muntaka explained that NACOC has also leveraged media engagements, radio programmes and public awareness campaigns to promote understanding of the country’s narcotics laws.
He added that educational activities, including programmes organised to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, have been used to highlight the distinction between approved industrial cannabis cultivation and illegal narcotic production.
The Interior Minister stressed that while government recognises the potential economic benefits of regulated industrial cannabis, strict controls remain necessary to prevent abuse and the proliferation of illicit drugs.
He assured the public that authorities will continue enforcing the law while expanding education efforts to ensure compliance with the approved regulatory framework.
