By Sarah Baafi
A corporate governance expert and lecturer at the GIMPA Law School, Kweku Anane Gyinde, has welcomed the decision by the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) to open applications for cannabis cultivation and management licences, describing it as a realistic step toward regulating an industry that has long existed informally in Ghana.
Speaking on the GTV Breakfast Show, Dr Anane Gyinde said the move acknowledges the reality that cannabis cultivation has been taking place in the country despite previous restrictions.
According to him, legalising and regulating cultivation creates an opportunity for Ghana to expand its export portfolio and potentially earn more foreign exchange.
“We all knew that people were cultivating cannabis on a large scale anyway,” he said. “So opening it up and allowing a legal framework within which people can grow and manage it is a good start. Previously, we pretended it wasn’t happening, but now we are being realistic.”
However, Dr Anane Gyinde cautioned that excessive bureaucracy could discourage potential investors and small-scale farmers who may want to participate in the sector.
He pointed to the numerous regulatory requirements, including tax registration with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and land documentation processes, which he said could make it difficult for individuals with farmland in rural areas to obtain licences.
“Sometimes the way we register companies and the bureaucratic processes are too much,” he said. “Someone may have land inherited from family in a village but may struggle with requirements such as land titles or leases before even applying for cultivation licences.”
He added that while cannabis could become another valuable resource for the country, Ghana’s ability to benefit from it will ultimately depend on effective leadership and responsible management of national resources.
He noted that the country already has major natural resources such as cocoa, gold and oil, yet continues to face economic challenges.
“It’s not about the number of resources a country has. If leadership is not prepared to make judicious use of them, we will not benefit,” he said.
While optimistic about the prospects of the emerging cannabis industry, he stressed that Ghana must avoid repeating past mistakes in managing its resources.
“If we manage it well, this could become another export product that brings in foreign exchange,” he said. “But without proper leadership and commitment, adding more resources alone will not change our situation.”
The Narcotics Control Commission recently opened applications for licences covering cannabis cultivation and management as part of efforts to regulate the sector under Ghana’s evolving narcotics laws.
