On Wednesday, July 12, 2023, Ghana’s Parliament approved the Narcotics Control Commission Amendment Bill 2023, which grants the Minister for the Interior the power to issue licenses for the cultivation of cannabis for industrial purposes.
Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, clarified that Parliament was not revising the Supreme Court’s ruling that deemed a clause in the bill unconstitutional. He stated that Parliament was rectifying an error made in the Supreme Court’s decision.
Speaker Bagbin made these remarks following the presentation and first reading of the Narcotics Regulation Commission Amendment Bill, 2023, by the Minister for the Interior, Ambrose Dery, in Parliament on Thursday, July 6.
Previously, the Supreme Court nullified the provision for granting licenses to cultivate cannabis, commonly known as ‘wee,’ due to the lack of parliamentary debate as required by Article 106 (5) (6) of the 1992 Constitution. Expressing his dissatisfaction with the ruling, the Speaker stated that he had conveyed his concerns to the justices of the apex court during a meeting, urging them to consult Parliament for proper briefing whenever making such decisions.
“We are not reviewing the decision of the Supreme Court; what we are seeking to do is to correct an error and reinstate the correct provision. I will refer the bill to the Committee on Defence and Interior for consideration and reporting to the House. The committee could present the report within one week. This is an issue close to my heart, and I believe the country is suffering due to this [Supreme Court] decision. We need to work swiftly to rectify this mistake.”
He further emphasized the importance of cooperation and respect among the three arms of government, urging consultation before finalizing decisions. He expressed his disapproval of the judiciary making significant decisions about parliamentary matters without consulting the legislature.
“I have made my stance clear to them, and I want it to be publicly known. This is for the benefit of the country. Therefore, I request the committee to submit their report within one week.”
Source – 3news.com
