Ghanaians Massively React As Gabby Otchere Darko Finally Reacts To Recent ‘Landmark’ SC Ruling

A leading member of the New Patriotic Party has made some statements that have attracted attention from the length and breadth of the country. Mr. Gabby Otchere-Darko has mentioned the recent Supreme Court ruling which declared unconstitutional the law on the license to grow cannabis popularly known as “wee’ in Ghana, is disappointing. He said he is not alone in the disappointment in his recent tweet.

He added that it was, however, important to note that the Court did not make a moral pronouncement on cannabis but had procedural issues with the application of the law in conformity with the Constitution. The apex court has declared unconstitutional a section of the Narcotic Control Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019) which allows the license to be granted to an entity to cultivate a small quantity of cannabis, for industrial and medicinal purposes.

In a 4-3 majority decision on Wednesday, July 28, 2022, a seven-member panel held that Section 43 of Act 1019 violated Article 106 of the 1992 Constitution, which details the processes a bill must go through before it is passed into law by Parliament, and was therefore null and void.

The ruling stated that the plaintiff’s action succeeds. Accordingly, Section 43 of the Narcotics Control Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019) was declared null and void and struck out as unconstitutional as it contravened the letter and spirit of the Constitution,1992, particular Article 106 (2) (a) (b), (5) and (6) thereof.

Many Ghanaians have vehemently reacted to the tweet of the staunch NPP member as some section of citizens did not find the usefulness of his tweet. Others indicated that the country was unable to make economic benefits from cocoa, gold, and other natural resources and they do not see any potential significant gain in pushing the fight to grow that. Would it make any major returns for the country if Gabby Otchere Darko’s dream comes into the past?

Earlier, Mr. Otchere-Darko who is also a staunch member of the governing New Patriotic Party highlighted that Indian hemp now has a high demand for medicinal, cosmetic, and industrial uses. What are your thoughts on the ongoing discussion?