The running mate for the Convention People’s Party (CPP) in the 2024 elections, Wayoe Ghanamanti, says a CPP government will not incarcerate individuals found in possession of marijuana.

According to him, those arrested for marijuana possession will not face imprisonment but will instead be sent to work on state farms. He emphasised that the government would prioritise state farms, a key initiative introduced by Kwame Nkrumah during his tenure.

“The youth of this nation, if the CPP comes to power, there will be no incarceration for the possession of cannabis,” he said.

He added that individuals who require rehabilitation due to marijuana abuse will also be taken care of. “Those who need rehabilitation, we will equally rehabilitate them,” he said.

Mr Ghanamanti said this last week during the party’s manifesto launch in Accra.

The vice-presidential candidate also noted that a CPP government would not allow the police to raid “ghettos” in search of people in possession of the drug.

The sale, import, export, or supply of cannabis is prohibited in Ghana.

Those found guilty of supplying cannabis (without money exchanging hands) can be sentenced to a minimum of five years in prison.

The sentence for producing, manufacturing, importing, exporting, or distributing the drug is increased to no less than 10 years.

This, the CPP government wants to overturn when given the chance to rule the country.