Wayoe Ghanamanti, the vice-presidential candidate for the Convention People’s Party (CPP) in the 2024 elections, has committed to a transformative approach to drug policy, stating that under a CPP government, individuals caught with marijuana will not face imprisonment.
Instead, those arrested for possessing cannabis will be redirected to work on state farms, continuing an initiative introduced by Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah, to harness the potential of state-run agricultural projects. Ghanamanti underscored that the CPP government would prioritize these state farms, viewing them as a key means to both engage the youth and contribute to the country’s agricultural development.
Speaking during the party’s manifesto launch in Accra, Ghanamanti assured the public that if the CPP comes to power, no one will be incarcerated for cannabis possession. He also emphasized that individuals requiring rehabilitation for marijuana dependency will receive proper care. “Those who need rehabilitation, we will equally rehabilitate them,” he said, signaling the CPP’s focus on public health rather than punitive measures in dealing with drug use.
In addition, Ghanamanti outlined that a CPP administration would end the controversial police raids targeting cannabis users in the country’s urban slums or “ghettos.” He noted that such raids disproportionately affect marginalized communities and often lead to the unnecessary criminalization of youth. Under the CPP’s plan, there would be a more progressive approach to handling drug use, with an emphasis on reducing harm and supporting recovery.
Currently, cannabis-related activities, including its sale, import, export, and supply, are strictly prohibited in Ghana, with severe penalties for violators. Those found guilty of supplying cannabis, even without financial transactions, face a minimum sentence of five years in prison. More severe sentences, starting at 10 years, are given to those involved in producing, importing, or distributing the drug.
The CPP government aims to overturn these harsh laws and replace them with policies that focus on rehabilitation and agricultural development, positioning cannabis policy as part of a broader reform agenda aimed at improving the justice system and promoting a more equitable society.
