The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has officially launched Ghana’s Medicinal and Industrial Cannabis Programme, marking what he described as a historic milestone in the country’s drug control and economic development framework.

Speaking at the launch in Accra on Thursday, February 26, 2026, the Minister said the rollout follows the passage of the Narcotics Control Commission Amendment Act, 2023 and the Narcotics Control Cultivation and Management of Cannabis Regulation, 2023, which together establish the legal and regulatory regime for the cultivation and management of cannabis strictly for industrial and medicinal purposes.

"Today’s event marks a significant milestone in Ghana’s commitment to responsible drug control, public health and safety and economic development," he said.

However, he stressed that recreational use of cannabis remains illegal under Section 45 of the Narcotics Control Commission Act, 2020.

As part of the launch, the government introduced stricter entry requirements for investors seeking licences in the sector.

Mr Mohammed-Mubarak announced that applicants must secure confirmed buyers before they can be granted operational licences.

“We won’t give you the licence if you don’t show us who you are going to sell it to. You need to have an off-taker,” he said.

According to him, the off-taker requirement is intended to prevent diversion of cannabis into the illegal market and safeguard public safety. Authorities will not permit cultivation without proof of a secured market.

The directive applies across the cannabis value chain, affecting farmers, processors and investors.

The Minister explained that a total of 11 separate licences are required for different activities, including cultivation, processing, transportation, import and export. Each licence is activity-specific and non-transferable.

“You cannot cultivate and assume you can transport. You need another licence for that,” he said.

He further disclosed that Ghana does not yet produce the specialised low-THC cannabis seeds required under the programme. As a result, seeds must be imported under licence.

“Government is not positioning itself to provide the seeds. It is a business opportunity for those who want to import,” he said, encouraging research institutions to develop local seed capacity over time.

To ensure compliance, the Interior Ministry, in collaboration with the Narcotics Control Commission and other security agencies, will deploy surveillance and enforcement mechanisms, including GPS tracking, drone monitoring and unannounced inspections of licensed facilities.

Agencies such as the Police, Immigration Service, Prisons Service and the National Investigations Bureau will support enforcement.

Licensed facilities must also not be located within 100 metres of schools or residential areas, and operators are required to submit quarterly returns.

Mr Mohammed-Mubarak warned that regulatory breaches could damage Ghana’s international standing.

“If we get it wrong, Ghana could easily be blacklisted, and all the efforts will come to nothing,” he said.

While acknowledging the revenue potential of the sector, he emphasised that public safety remains the government’s primary concern.

“Our emphasis is more on security and public safety than the money. If we do it right, the benefits will come,” he said.

The introduction of the off-taker requirement is expected to reshape participation in the emerging industry, raising the entry threshold for prospective operators and limiting licences to investors who can demonstrate full commercial readiness from production to sale.

Mr Mohammed-Mubarak said the government remains open to engagement but firm on enforcement.

“Our doors are open 24-7, but we will make sure the intent of the law is fully achieved,” he said.