The Narcotics Control Commission Amendment Bill 2023, which gives the Interior Minister the power to provide licenses for the production of cannabis for industrial reasons, has been approved by Ghana's Parliament.
On Wednesday, July 12, 2023, the law was approved.
The Supreme Court's ruling that a clause in the law was unconstitutional was not being reviewed by Parliament, according to Speaker of the House Alban Bagbin.
He said that a mistake in the Supreme Court decision was being fixed by Parliament.
On Thursday, July 6, Speaker Bagbin made these remarks following the introduction and first reading of the Drugs Regulation Commission Amendment Bill, 2023, in the House of Representatives by Minister of the Interior Ambrose Dery.
The Supreme Court annulled the Act on the Grant of Licences for the Cultivation of Cannabis, commonly referred to as 'wee', as there had been no debate in Parliament prior to its passage into law pursuant to Article 106(5)(6) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Australia of 1992.
However, the Speaker claimed that the country was losing out as a result of the decision, adding that he had expressed his displeasure with the decision to the justices of the supreme court in a meeting and urged them to consult Parliament for adequate briefings whenever they were making such decisions.
"We are not reconsidering the Supreme Court's ruling; rather, we are looking to fix a mistake and reinstate the proper provision. In order to have the Committee on Defence and Interior review the measure and report back to the House, I will do so.
The Committee is expected to submit its report within the week. This issue is of great importance to me, and I believe the nation is suffering greatly due to the Supreme Court's ruling. We must act quickly to rectify the situation.
"I hope that the three branches of government will cooperate and respect one another," he continued. When in doubt, it's crucial to consult the other arm before committing to whatever course of action the other arm desires.
"I don't believe it is appropriate for the judiciary to make such a significant decision without consulting the house since they have no knowledge of how we conduct our business here.
"I have told them about this, and I want the public to know about it because it will benefit the nation.
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