On Thursday, a Legislative Instrument which was laid by the government through the Interior Minister matured.

This L.I. will actualise the law passed to legalize the use of cannabis for industrial and medicinal purposes, matured.

Chairman of the Subsidiary Legislation Committee, Dr. Dominic Ayine reiterated that Parliament has not passed a law to legalise cannabis for recreational purposes.

After outlining the punishment regime for abusers of the new law, Dr Ayine told the House that “this puts it beyond doubt that Parliament has not legalized cannabis for recreational purposes.

“And that anybody caught using cannabis for recreational purposes on the belief that it has been legalized will only be putting themselves in trouble,” he said.

But Minority Chief Whip, Governs Kwame Agbodza says this law will certainly be abused and it is not ‘wee’ that will change the fortunes of the country.

“And none of you is talking about the potential of abuse and how that can degenerate into mental health problems we already have in this country. Why are we pretending that this is going to solve our problem? Minister? Do you even know how many people in this country are smoking weed?” he quizzed.

“Even electricity that the sources we produce we are known, we are unable to police the amount of electricity we produce in this country. You are not talking about giving license to people to produce weed. While I don’t have the potential of stopping this, the fact is that Ghana is blessed enough with gold, diamond and just recently we found E-Levy, none of them is able to save our country,” the MP added.

Meanwhile, the new Vice Chair of the Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee, Sarah Adwoa Safo disagreed with Mr Agbodza.

According to her, cannabis for medicinal and industrial purposes will help Ghana economically.

“We’re not talking about just a leaf in someone’s backyard, we’re talking about a whole industry that is been created. And if we have our fertile lands here, and we can grow and make sure that the right framework is in place, I don’t see why we can’t take advantage of it,” she said.

Kwame Agbodza asserted that weed cannot generate enough money to develop the West African country, since foreign exchange made from gold and oil could not help.

“Revenues generated from gold and oil are unable to solve the challenges, is it the export of weed that would help us?”, he argued. 

“Would you still allow yourself to be operated on if a surgeon tells you he will smoke weed before performing your session?” he quizzed a crowd of residents who had gathered to celebrate the commissioning of a three-unit classroom block at Adaklu Anfoe. 

Cannabis is derived from the Cannabis plant. It is a psychoactive drug used for both recreational and entheogenic purposes. 

Mr. Agbodza was worried about how some adults “who should know better” are trading in the hard substance and influencing the younger ones to engage in its use, this, putting their future in limbo. 

He entreated elders who cultivate and trade cannabis to desist from such unlawful acts before the law catches up with them.

He lauded Pencils of Promise for partnering with his office, the assemblies and communities to erect 18 educational facilities in the Adaklu District within the last six years. 

The Country Director of Pencils of Promise, Freeman Gobah, also reiterated the concern of how the use of cannabis is wide spreading among youth in southern Volta. 

“They are now introducing the young ones, some of them should be about nine years old,” he lamented.

He, therefore, implored parents to take keen interest in the development of their children, especially what they do and the kind of clique they move around with. 

This, he believes, would prevent their children from being influenced by their peers into smoking cannabis and engaging in other unlawful acts.

According to the Head of Accra Regional Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Efia Tenge, the suspects were arrested upon a tip-off.

She said 138 slabs in 66 parcels of the suspected narcotic drugs were found hidden in an uncompleted building with a mini bus retrieved at the time of arrest.

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“Our investigations indicated they were trading in the substance suspected to be Indian hemp, so we are detaining them and will send samples for forensic examination to aid our investigations,” she explained.

The suspects, who have been identified as Foli Emmanuel, Juliet Asempapa, George Dzamesi, and Prosper Tibo, were arrested at Hydrofoam Estate.

Last week, Ghana’s parliament passed a bill to allow the use of some cannabis for medicinal and industrial purposes.

The move was greeted with joy with many celebrities such as Shatta Wale, Yaa Pono among others sharing their views on how it will boost the economy.

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But, Samini, in his latest tweet, said many took it to the extreme thinking it had been legalised for everyone to use or plant in their homes.

Taking to his Twitter, where he pleaded with fans who were already elated about smoking in public, he said:

The #Hemp has been legalized for health and industrial purposes. Pls if you are not into the health and industrial benefits of the #hemp then you are not part of this exercise and Will be a criminal if caught in possession or using #staywoke. It’s not legal to smoke it yet pls.

In another video he provided education to the masses who couldn’t decipher the difference between medical and recreational marijuana.

Find the original post below:

The Rastafarian Council of Ghana has been on a relentless campaign for the decriminalisation of the plant.

In his later years in life, former United Nations Secretary-General, the late Kofi Annan, called for a dispassionate debate about marijuana.

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Also, the Acting Executive Director of the Ghana Standards Authority, Professor Alex Dodoo, has also once advocated for the cultivation and export of cannabis.

Again, a former boss of the Narcotics Control Board, Mr Akrasi Sarpong has also endorsed the legalisation of Indian hemp.

Other notable people like musician Samini and actor/politician John Dumelo have spoken about mass production of marijuana for economic gain.

Speaking on Class FM, Monday, Ms Forson told show host Natalia Andoh that marijuana helps with a lot of diseases.

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Asked if the herb should be legalised, the movie director cum producer said:

“I have a glaucoma foundation and while reading and researching, I realised that marijuana actually helps with glaucoma, it’s really a natural remedy that helps bring the pressures down.

“I believe in other places in the world they control the dosage and all of that. So, for health reasons if we can control it then yeah, they can legalise it, but I think people just abuse it and that’s where I have a problem with it, but it helps with a lot of diseases and illnesses.”

Yvonne is premiering her new movie at the Silverbird Cinema titled ‘Fix Us’ on December 6, 2019.

Notable names in the movie are Yvonne Okoro, Tobi from Big Brother Nigeria, Michelle Attoh, Hajia4real, Irene Logan and Prince David Osei.

Rev. Abruku Abruka in whose church, Crown of Glory Assembly, Rev Obofuor allegedly caused a congregant to smoke marijuana, has denied knowing the smoker prior to the incidence.

Rev Abruka’s denial comes on the back of the revelation by the smoker, Razack Clottey, that the man of God had pre-arranged with him to carry the ‘weed’ into the church.

ALSO READ: Confession rocks ‘wee’ incidence in Obofour’s church as ‘wee smoker’ speaks [Video]

Rev Abruku Abruka has, however, denied the allegations, saying Razack came to the church together with his friends who said they were on their way to a birthday party at a spot close to the church.

He explained that it was on their way to the spot that they decided to pass through the church on hearing about the presence of Rev Obofour.

“I only know one of his friends and not him (Razak),” he told Accra-based Okay FM monitored by domonline.com.

ALSO READ: Rev. Obofour tells member to smoke ‘wee’ during service (Video)

Rev Obofour was said to have been invited to the church of his colleague preacher, Abruku Abruka, for a three-day church programme.

It was at the said service that he asked anyone with the banned substance, ‘wee’, to step forward.

Razack who was allegedly in possession of ‘weed’ in his pocket stepped forward with the substance and obliged to smoking it before the congregation.

The video of the incident has since been published online but hours after the publication, Razack has come out to say he was lured into the act by Rev Abruka, an allegation Rev Abruka has since denied.

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According to Pastor Abruku Abruka, Razack had admitted to smoking wee for many years, an act that has landed him in jail and has, therefore, wondered why he will make a sudden u-turn.

Pastor Abruka said he suspects some people are using the suspect to destroy their works.

Listen to audio above

Source: Adomonline.com | Dorcas Abedu-Kennedy

An ex-convict, identified as Razak Clottey, who was carrying the banned substance in the church, has come out to say the incidence was all planned.

According to him, he was promised money, clothes among other juicy deals if he managed to bring marijuana into the church for Reverend Obofour to attempt to deliver him from the smoking habit.

ALSO READ: Rev. Obofour tells member to smoke ‘wee’ during service (Video)

Razak said the preacher, Abruku Abruka, who invited Reverend Obofour as a guest minister, gave him the drug and cautioned him to follow the directions of Rev Obofour.

Speaking on Thunder TV, Razak said Reverend Obofour and Pastor Abruku Abruka failed to keep their promises.

He told the hostess of the show, Nana Agradaa that “I wasn’t scared to smoke because Reverend Obofour promised to look after me as his son. Osofo Abruku gave me the ‘weed’ and instructed me to carry out whatever direction Reverend Obofour gave.”

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Razak said he had never smoked in his life before the incident happened during the three-day event at Pastor Abruku Abruka’s church.

Watch the video below:

Source: Adomonline.com | Dennis K. Adu

Most Bishop Fianu delivering an address at the 17th National Catholic Health Service Annual Conference in Takoradi, said the church was firmly opposed to any action by the government to legalise the use of marijuana as some prominent Ghanaians were advocating.

He stressed that marijuana should remain banned so that it would prevent many people from gaining access to it.

Touching on the theme of the conference, “Addiction as an Emerging Healthcare Challenge”, Bishop Fianu explained that addiction was a symptom of dependency and that addicts enjoyed it, but were oblivious to the harm it does to the body.

Bishop Fianu stated that, addiction as defined by the new charter for healthcare workers, “is a habitual reliance on a substance or product such as alcohol, narcotics and tobacco for which the individual expresses irrepressible need and when deprived can cause mental and physical disturbances.

“Addiction could, therefore, be termed as an illness or infirmity and not limited to certain class of people, race, sex or nationality”, he added.

The Bishop of the Ho Catholic Diocese who is also responsible for health, explained that some healthcare workers ended up as addicts due to some substances they got exposed to in their line of duty and attributed such cases to lack of supervision.

He further stated that some patients also became addicts in the course ofreceiving treatment, noting that the youth were mostly affected due to their curiosity and peer pressure.

Bishop Fianu stressed that despite the condition of drug addicts, the kind attitude and affection from caregivers, families and surrounding environment towards them ought not to diminish.

“It is necessary to listen and treat an addict socially, humanly, morally and spiritually as both a person and patient in need because their statuses as humans remain the same and God still loves them”, he said.

He urged the government to strengthen state institutions that had regulatory or supervising role in the movement of banned substances to be more effective in its prevention rather than waiting for the addictions to affect people since prevention costs less.

Bishop Fianu further stressed that, state institutions such as social welfare who were in charge of those convicted for drug related offences, should have consistent interventions to assist them appreciate the risk drugs posed to themselves and others.

On rehabilitation, he appealed to his fellow bishops, heads of churches and NGO’s to consider opening rehabilitation centres for addicts, adding the more widespread they were the easier it would be for individuals and communities to access them.

Bishop Fianu called on the government not to bow to pressure from any quarters and no matter the agreement to legalise the use of marijuana as this would make it ubiquitous and put it in the hands of innocent young persons who were the future leaders.

“Effective measures such as massive education on the dangers of substance abuse be put in place to curtail cases of addiction”, he added.

The Deputy Western Regional Minister, Mrs Gifty Eugenia Kusi, said substance addiction affected families and the society at large and must therefore be addressed.

She emphasized that though it was the belief of Christians to pray when faced with challenges, prayers alone could not solve such problems and as such immediate steps were needed. She encouraged persons suffering from drug addiction to be sent to rehabilitation centres for medical care and not to be camped at various prayer camps.

She pointed out that in order to curtail the problem of addiction, intensified public education must be incorporated by the narcotics board in secondary schools since that was where most of the addictions began.

Mrs Kusi advised parents and guardians to provide adequately for their wards and to also bear moderate number of children they could cater for.

Monsignor Francis Abuah Quansah, Delegate Administrator of the Sekondi/Takoradi Catholic Diocese, who presided stated that, “things dear to you if not handled well can turn into addiction” and therefore advised individuals to be careful not to get too attached to various gadgets and substances.

He urged all Catholic Health workers to continue to give Catholic identities in their various facilities in the goodness of God.

Source; GNA

According to the District Police Commander, ASP De-Graft Adjei, who confirmed the arrest to Adom News, the suspect was arrested while travelling to Wa to supply the consignment to his customers.

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“He was arrested in the vehicle at Yepala by the Sawla police patrol team after a tip off and upon interrogation, he admitted the offense and said he had been into the business for two years now,” the police said.

Meanwhile, the suspect is set to be arraigned at the Bole Magistrate Court.

Source: Adomonline.com | Adom News

Police report indicate three out of five suspects were arrested at a Savelugu in the Northern region by a police patrol team on Thursday morning around 11:00 am upon a tip off of transportation of huge quantity of substance suspected to be weed on from Gambaga in the North East region to Tamale.

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The suspects identified as Fatawu Tiniya, 29, Masahudu Iddrisu, 20, and Zaku Mahama, 23 were jailed 19 years each for possessing narcotic substances without authority after they pleaded guilty to the offence.

The presiding judge also confiscated five motorbikes which the convicts used to convey the Indian hemp to the state.

Meanwhile, the police is undergoing investigations in the region to arrest the two suspects currently on the run.

Source: Adomonline.com|Adom News|Illiasu Abdul Rauf

She also dismissed claims that the on-going impasse in Alavanyo is as a result of renewed clashes between Alavanyo and Nkunya as reported by the Regional Police Commander, DCOP Francis Doku.

Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem Show on Friday, Mama Ametor II, claimed that what happened was as a result of “business deal gone wrong”.

In a statement signed by her on behalf of the Alavanyo Youth Association, she explained that the tension in Alavanyo had calmed due to the relentless efforts of the leaders of the town who have continuously engaged the youth.

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It further stated the recent confusion was a result of an illegal business being transacted in the area by some security officials who felt cheated along the way hence venting of their anger on the innocent youth.

Below is the full statement

ALAVANYO YOUTH ASSOCIATION SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT IN THE PURPORTED ALAVANYO YOUTH “CLASH” WITH JOINT POLICE – MILITARY FORCE.

Welcome to you all Ladies and Gentlemen of the media, as citizens of this country and indigenes of Alavanyo, it is in our interest to set the records straight in the latest confusion in Alavanyo.

First of all, we would want to note that the impasse is not as a result of a renewed clash between Alavanyo and Nkunya.

It is a clear case of a business deal gone bad between some business parties within the area which equally involves some security officials.

Evidence available to us points to the fact that the clash has no relationship whatsoever to any arms as reported by the Volta Regional Police Commander, DCOP Francis Doku.

The tension of Alavanyo – Nkonya has died down due to our relentless efforts in speaking to the youth and our neighbours at Nkonya for some time now and we have been living peacefully as neighbours.

We would want to state that the recent confusion which has led to three people losing their lives is as a result of some illegal business being transacted in the area by some security officials who felt cheated along the way hence the venting of Wednesday, January 16, 2019, their anger on innocent youth in the town.

It’s very painful and heart-piercing that whilst we are enjoying our little peace which we have been working hard for, a greedy and a corrupted Police Commander with his irresistible appetite to make money will sacrifice our peace for money and draw us backward.

It’s always said that, if you want to hang a dog, give it a bad name and then hang it. The world has taken our peaceful nature and our relentlessness to speak to the media in numerous incidence to be our weakness and hence has been throwing every dark shade at us.

All the bad names DCOP Francis Doku and his accomplice who is a Police officer at Ashaima are trying to give this dog today won’t stick. The dog has refused to be hanged this time round.

We have both audio and visual evidence at our disposal to prove the point being made. Personalities within the security service have been mentioned and there is the need to ensure these people are brought to book.

We do not have faith in the police and will not accept anything brought out by this same people who have killed and injured brothers as reported

We demand a thorough investigation by AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION BODY.

Ladies and gentlemen of the media, the normal practice that is done when the Police wants to do a search in the area is for them to first go to the Divisional Wednesday, January 16, 2019 Police Command which is Kpando and the officers of the command will lead them into the area. But when DCOP Francis Doku was coming none of this happened and when they needed reinforcement, instead of calling on the Peace Keepers stationed at Kpeme who are about 3km away, DCOP Francis Doku in his wisdom drove to Kpando (20km away from Alavanyo) did not call for reinforcement from Kpando or reported anything to them but proceeded to Nkonya (30km away) in all 50km away from Alavanyo to drive reinforcement to the town to kill our brothers. Who in his right senses with genuine intentions will do this calculation?

If the Presidency, the Interior Ministry and the REGSEC will listen to the side of conflicting reports given by one man – DCOP Francis Doku, then the innocent youthful souls that were lost and injured wouldn’t be served justice and we will be very much disappointed in the Power that is vested in the President and the National Security to protect and defend the rights of the citizens in the country.

Audio conversations which prove the points being raised shall be made available to the national security and the police hierarchy for officers involed including the Volta Regional Commander, DCOP Francis Doku who has been contradicting himself in the media since this issue happened to be brought to book.

WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED?

A Police officer in Ashaima in the Greater Accra Region gave his brother one Stephen Awaner an amount of Ghc20,000 to farm wee for him at Alavanyo – Dzogbedze. The brother who already owed some of the youth in the business had to pay his balance to them but was hesitant. So the boys harvested 15 sticks of marijuana [Amnesia Haze breed] to compensate for their balance.

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

After the actual harvest was made and Police’s part was sent to him, he wasn’t happy that he made loses on his investment so had to call in the Regional Police Commander DCOP Francis Doku to arrest the boys who harvested the 15 sticks to compensate for their money owed them by the Police’s brother.

This was the arrest DCOP Francis Doku gave the fraudulent headline; “STOCKPILE OF AMMUNITION INTERCEPTED IN ALAVANYO – DZOGBEDZE IN RELATION TO OTI REFERENDUM.” He later extorted Ghc20,000 from the boys and left them.

WE DID NOT TALK

Due to the Ashiaman Police officer and DCOP Francis Doku’s greed, they came back to Alavanyo Dzogbedze on Sunday 13th January to destroy other people’s farm just because they made losses in their investment. They had burnt the farms including a maize farm. There is pictorial evidence and even if you want, we can lead you to the farm.

When going to the bush, they had camouflaged the Ashiaman Police’s brother in an Army uniform. This angered the youth in the farm and a scuffle ensued resulting in the arrest of two of the boys.

Whilst this was happening, another group of guys who did not comprehend what the Police vehicle with number GP 4487 was doing at the outskirts of the town as assailants who always carry out shooting in the area mostly disguise themselves in army and Police apparel, approached the driver to interrogate him. The driver couldn’t give any clear explanation or shown his identity card.

His helmet and two handcuffs were seized from him and brought to the Chief’s Palace for interrogation.

Whilst DCOP Francis Doku and his team were coming out from the bush, the two boys in handcuffs escaped from them.

Reaching the chiefs palace, they framed a case of coming to arrest people having ammunition and that the boys they arrested have made away with their handcuffs and an AK-47.

The Chief of Dzogbedze, Togbe Petekuatsi V, who expressed displeasure at the Police’s entry into his community to effect arrests without his knowledge, knowing the volatile nature of the area, promised to help the police find their belongings.

Later in the evening, a reinnforced Joint Police-Military force under the leadership of ASP Asifri who is in charge of the Alavanyo Nkunya Peace Keeping unit stationed in Nkunya, returned to Alavanyo Dzogbedze to meet with the chief, but rejected seats offered to him and his men and complained about the conduct of the towns folk who were hooting at them.

The officers while starting their vehicles shot into the crowd indiscriminately and killed Atta Kofi who was recovering from some malaria and had only walked to the roadside to buy Banku, and Confidence who is a native of Anfoega Wodemaxe on the street of Dzogbedze and injured six more.

Contrary to conflicting reports by DCOP Francis Doku in one breath that the youth had surrounded their car and started to shooting at them and in another that the youth had cut power supply to the town and ran to the mountains which are about 4km away and started to shoot into their own township aimed at them the military is unimaginable.

Whilst we wait on the President of the Republic, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, The National Security, The Interior Ministry and The REGSEC to establish and conduct an INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION into the killings and shooting of innocent peace loving citizens of Alavanyo, we will want the Regional Police Commander, DCOP FRANCIS DOKU to be asked these questions;

Alavanyo Killings: #AskDCOP_DOKU

1. How could the youth switch off power supply to the whole town? And if DCOP DOKU has any evidence on this because ECG can ascertain if power was really cut and where it was cut from?
2. Are the people stupid to ran to the mountains and be shooting back into their own township in the darkness with the aim of shooting at the military?
3. If the military were shooting back towards the mountains, how come people died on the street?
4. One of the deceased was having Banku in his hand. Has Banku become an ammunition?
5. There were peace keepers at Kpeme why didn’t they bring them to the area when their items were “seized” but had to go all the way to Nkonya to bring reinforcement to Alavanyo Dzogbedze whilst those at Kpeme were just few minutes away.
6. Does he agree that those stationed at Kpeme shot and killed a 70yr old man and set their FPU tank ablaze to incriminate the youth in the issue?
7. Why did they set the wee and maize farm ablaze in the evening of Sunday and what was DOKU doing in there with his boys? We have audio visual evidence of them burning the farms.
8. What is his evidence that the youth shot at the police cum military that warranted a fire back killing two on the spot.

Is that what they are taught at the training school even if it happened?

9. After hearing the side of his men, did he also cross check from the village to ascertain the facts before speaking a one sided story to the media?
10. When speaking to Joy FM on Monday, 14th January in the morning @10am, he said the bodies were deposited at the morgue. That was blatantly false. The media were at Alavanyo – Dzogbedze throughout the day, the bodies were moved at 3-4pm Monday, 14 January, 2019. Is he a man to be trusted?
11. Knowing too well that Alavanyo and Nkonya are not in very good terms, what was the motivation of the 6 officers to call for reinforcement from an enemy camp Wednesday, January 16, 2019 in Nkonya while there were capable military officers stationed at Alavanyo Kpeme?

12. How can two boys in handcuffs escape from six security officers with a riffle in a moving vehicle (as reported by DCOP DOKU to Joyfm) without being caught by our trained military and police officers?
13. Is he having knowledge about any Police officer who has given money to his brother to cultivate wee for him at Alavanyo Dzogbedze?
14. Was he at the farm with those officers who came from Ashiaman and Ho to destroyed some wee farms including a maize farm?

If NO,

Would he resign from the service if we produce the boys who were at the bush when they came and are aware of an officer giving out monies for the wee farming, and he DCOP Francis Doku was part of those officers who came and destroyed the farms and he was the one who ordered those killers to shoot and kill the innocent people because they were not able to recover their investment from the wee farm?

15. Why did DCOP DOKU got infuriated and brought his Press Conference held on Tuesday, 15th January to an abrupt end when the press who were at the grounds at Alavanyo – Dzogbedze were asking him these questions?

Ladies and gentlemen of the Press, as you can see, this is not an issue that can be swept under any carpet, we are ready to go any length to seek justice for our brothers and we kindly ask you to report this truth to the world for the killers of our brothers to be brought to book.

Thank you for coming.

God bless Alavanyo,

Long live Ghana.

Mama Ametor II

+233 203922374

Paramount Queen of Alavanyo Traditional Area in the Volta Region of Ghana

DISTRIBUTION:

HIS EXCELLENCY,

THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA,

JUBILEE HOUSE, ACCRA

HIS ROYAL MAJESTY, ASANTEHENE

OTUMFOUR OSEI TUTU II

MANHYIA PALACE

KUMASI – ASHANTI REGION

CC:

THE RT. HON. SPEAKER,

OFFICE OF PARLIAMENT

PARLIAMENT HOUSE

ACCRA

HER LADYSHIP

THE CHIEF JUSTICE

JUDICIAL SERVICE OF GHANA,

ACCRA

THE HON. MINISTER

MINISTRY OF INTERIOR

ACCRA

THE CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF,

GHANA ARMED FORCES, BURMA CAMP

ACCRA

THE PRESIDENT,

NATIONAL PEACE COUNCIL OF GHANA, ACCRA.

PRESIDENT

NATIONAL HOUSE OF CHIEFS,

ACCRA.

THE PRESIDENT,

GHANA BAR ASSOCIATION,

ACCRA

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

THE COUNTRY DIRECTOR

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL,

ACCRA.

THE PRESIDENT

VOLTA REGIONAL PEACE COUNCIL

HO – VOLTA

THE CHAIRMAN

VOLTA REGIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL (REGSEC)

HON. MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT,

HOHOE CONSTITUENCY,

PARLIAMENT HOUSE,

ACCRA

THE MUNICIPAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE

HOHOE MUNICIPAL,

HOHOE.

THE MEDIA

The suspected narcotics were found in an Opel Astra cab with registration number GS 2345 -16 after the driver of the vehicle abandoned it and fled.

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A night patrol team led by Chief Inspector Stephen Asare on board a police vehicle no. GP 3585 drove to the station in an Opel Astra Taxi and reported that during their duty tour they spotted the said vehicle at Kofigya village, a suburb of Suhum heading towards Suhum.

Regional police PRO, DSP Ebenezer Tetteh said when the driver was signalled to stop, he failed and rather increased his speed.

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The vehicle, according to him was traced to the MTN office at Suhum where it was abandoned.

The police boss said a search conducted on the vehicle revealed five wrapped sacks of plant substance suspected to be Indian hemp and additional vehicle number plate with registration number GR 286 – Y.

READ ALSO: 46 police officers interdicted over sexual exploitation charges [Audio]

The vehicle and its content have since been retained at the station while strenuous efforts are being made to arrest perpetrators

The Mankesim Divisional Police Commander, ACP Owuahen Acheampong, who disclosed this at a press briefing Monday said the incident happened on Sunday night upon a tip-off.

The suspects, he said were trying to transfer the substances from Eku-Mpoano, a town in Mankesim, to Ivory Coast.

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The illegal substances were concealed inside bags but were discovered after the police stormed suspect’s hideout.

But the suspects, sensing danger, took to their heels but the police managed to arrest one who they say was a caretaker.

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He is currently in the grips of the police assisting with investigations.

Meanwhile, the Mankesim police are hunting for the suspects.

The members who turned up in their numbers to worship and praise God had a shock of their lives when the issue came to their attention.

READ ALSO: Pastor drowns whiles chasing offering bowl

The substance, according to reports was found in a secured place somewhere in the ceiling of their uncompleted building being used as their place of worship.

It is unclear who kept the wee in the church but some members suspect the culprit saw their church as a safe haven to hide the banned substance.

Speaking to Adom FM’s morning show host, Captain Smart, the Circuit Steward of the Methodist church in Koforidua, George Osei expressed shock at the incident.

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He said church leaders were in Accra for an induction ceremony when members informed them about the bizarre incident.

Mr Osei said they have asked them to report the incident to the police for immediate investigations.

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The Atlanta based drinks giant, which own over 500 brands including Sprite, Fanta and Costa Coffee, is in advanced discussions with Canadian company Aurora Cannabis.

Bloomberg reported Coca-Cola wants to enter the cannabis sector because soft drinks are becoming increasingly unpopular as they are seen as unhealthy.

A source close to the negotiations between the companies said: ‘They’re pretty advanced down the path of doing a deal. ‘It’s going to be more of the “recovery drink” category.’

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The drinks will be more about helping consumers with inflammation, pain and cramping and not about getting drinkers high, sources told Bloomberg.

A Coca-Cola spokesman added: ‘Along with many others in the beverage industry, we are closely watching the growth of non-psychoactive CBD as an ingredient in functional wellness beverages around the world.

Medical cannabis oil helps people deal with long-term pain issues

During his first appearance in court, the accused started behaving strangely, and this compelled the complainant, ASP Joseph Quainoo, to conduct a search on him.

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A fresh charge of possessing substance suspected to be Indian hemp was preferred against the 32-year-old man, Kofi Amenyenu.

Kofi, a trader and farmer who resides at Gbi-Wegbe in the Hohoe Municipality of the Volta Region, was on June 11, 2018, arrested by the Hohoe Police for illegally possessing firearm, and later put before the Hohoe Circuit Court.

The accused struggled with ASP Joseph Quainoo for about 10 minutes but police officers, who are also witnesses in the case, helped to overpower him.

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After the search, the police found on him dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp in a black polythene bag, earpiece, Techno mobile phone, a box of matches and cash of GH¢135.

He was immediately sent to the Hohoe Police Office where a report was made.

The substance was sealed in the presence of the accused along with an independent witness.

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According to the police, they would forward the substance to the forensic laboratory in Accra for examination.

The accused person has been remanded in custody by the court at the Kpando Prisons.

He is to re-appear in court on Monday, August 6, 2018.

In the said image, there are sachets of an unknown alcoholic beverage on display on the ground alongside the suspected dried leaves some of which are in wraps.

It is believed that most of these youngsters, who are into drugs, have turned the area into their haven.

The Tamale Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) Iddrisu Musah Superior who spoke to mynewsgh.com about the development, said it is part of the reasons why he has resolved to bar people from entering the forest.

According to him, late last week he had an interaction with a huge teenage group based in a portion of the forest, informing them about the impending removal of illegal occupants.

He corroborated reports that these teenagers use drugs and engaged in sex trade which is why he was determined to flush them out of the toilet.

This is however not the first time the Metropolis has recorded similar acts as it was first witnessed during the latter part of 2015.

Copies of disturbing videos that went viral, revealed girls in their early teens engaged smoking wrapped substances suspected to be Indian hemp and openly boasting about it.

In one of the videos, a girl who identified herself as Survivor was seen puffing thick smoke from her nostrils after piping a lighted wrap of weed and raining insults on a certain Cash One accusing him of indulging in Sakawa.

At the concluding part of the video, she is joined by a colleague only known as Hamida who claimed she has been smoking since 1992 and dared the said Cash One to either shut up or incur their wrath.

Another video which was being circulated in various social media platforms by another duo known as the Ebola Girls boast about their ability to smoke weed unceasingly and dared the police to hunt them down.

The lead actor in the video who calls herself Hajia For Real and her support character called Awula a.k.a ‘Viva For Real’ justify their decision to engage in prostitution and urged their colleagues to smoke the weed but endeavour to eat well.

According to them, they have seen the benefits of smoking weed and eating properly dispelling any rumour about its ability to cause any ailment.

Directing their anger at an unknown man they failed to name, the duo claimed he was not their match and should not think he was the only one within the metropolis who could “blaze in weed” above them.

The CEO made the call when he appeared before the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament yesterday to answer some infractions in their Audited Report.

According to him, the economic potential of marijuana for the country was huge, stressing that it was about time authorities came up with a firm decision on taking advantage of the herb.

Mr. Badioo explained that in advanced countries like the United Kingdom, United States of America (USA) marijuana use is legal.

“In UK, for instance, one can purchase nicely and neatly packaged marijuana from stores for both medical and social use,” he said.

“Even though Ghana does not need the medical use of the drug, it will gain immensely from its exportation if it is legalised,” the GSA boss averred.

He is in police custody assisting the Mankranso Police with investigations into his arrest.

The Mankranso District Police Commander, Superintendent John Adusei, who briefed The Mirror said last Wednesday morning at about 05:10 the police were given a tip-off.

He said the police quickly acted on the tip-off and proceeded to the scene where Berko was caught putting the dried leaves in parcels at Mpasaaso Number One.

He said the suspect was then whisked away to Mankranso to assist police in investigating the matter.

The female suspects, arrested at Ahwerewa in the Atwima Nwabiagya District of the Ashanti Region, are 60-year-old Abena Akyiaa and Ama Werekowaa, 34.

They are currently in the hands of the district police command alongside their male suspected counterparts, Kwaku Asamoah, 67 and Akwasi Nicholas.

The police have described the arrest of Kwaku Asamoah and Abena Akyiaa, a couple, as very crucial in their fight against narcotics use at Ahwerewa.

DSP Emmanuel Asiamah, Atwima Nwabiagya District Police Commander, said Kwaku Asamoah and Abena Akyiaa are known wee dealers at Ahwerewa.

The couple, he said, had reportedly been selling the stuff to some of the town folks and other people in the neighbouring communities for some time now as the police had been tracking them.

According to him, at about 9:30 pm on Wednesday, the police had information that the couple was selling wee in the house and so his men rushed there.

When they reached the house, they saw Werekowaa, an occupant of the house, selling quantities of wrapped substance in a polythene bag suspected to be wee, to Nicholas.

Nicholas and Werekowaa, who was still in possession of another polythene bag also containing the substance, according to DSP Asiamah, were quickly apprehended.

Upon a search of a room in the house, the police found seven jute sacks, 22 wraps and two slabs, all containing the dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.

Asamoah and Akyiaa, the police officer asserted, claimed ownership of the items and were also arrested to assist in investigations.

DSP Asiamah complained that lawbreakers at Ahwerewa and the nearby areas are usually emboldened by the use of wee to carry out nefarious activities.

The two, Evelyn Adade Korkor, 19 years, and Felix Gyimah, 18, were arrested while attempting to transport 30 parcels of the substance together with cassava in 2 sacks from Huhunya to Nkurakan in the Eastern Region.

Spokesperson of the Eastern Regional Police Command, ASP Ebenezer Tetteh, told Citi News the two suspects will soon be arraigned.

Narrating circumstances leading to their arrest, ASP Tetteh said: “We have arrested two teenagers.

They were arrested based upon a tip-off from the Police. The two suspects were carrying two sacks of dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.

They were actually compressed dry leaves numbering about thirty.

They are assisting us in our investigations.We hope to quickly arraign them.”

It does not only cause mental disorders and other health related problems but goes a long way to destroy the semen of men, hence causing infertility.

According to the renowned Psychiatrist, there is a part of the human brain that functions by motivating the entire body to do well and excel, therefore in the usage of the cannabis plant, that part of the brain is attacked resulting in its retardation.

Dr. Akwasi Osei’s explanation stems from the fact that more often than not many people live under the notion that marijuana enhances or gives intelligence, makes you smart and skillful.

Speaking to Maame Korea in an exclusive interview on Obrempong Ahyease on Sunday , he noted that “wee” is detrimental to the youth in particular those in the twenties as that part of their brains mature with some speed.

And so anytime they use the Cannabis plant, they get on the path of destruction thwarting their great progress by dropping out school and becoming rogue on the streets.

He also lamented how some men have succeeded in luring their wives and girlfriends in smoking marijuana and using it in different ways. Some women even support their husbands in using the drug.

He however mentioned that those ladies who are involved in using marijuana are in the few minority. Aside the mental disorder that the populace are very much aware of, Dr. Osei said it has other complications hence we must be careful.

Briefing journalists in Accra, the Public Relations Officer of the Accra Regional Police Command, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Mrs Effia Tenge, said the police had a tip-off about some people trying to smuggle Indian hemp to Nigeria and proceeded to the scene at Darkuman junction in Accra.

She said when the police arrived at the warehouse, they saw a number of bags containing used clothes.

The officers, she said, then confiscated the bags and took them to the police station and when they were opened, the suspected narcotic was found.

According to her, the police counted 154 parcels of compressed dried leaves concealed in second-hand clothing which was packed in “Ghana must go” bags.

Upon interrogation, Ogbananya allegedly admitted the offence and told the police that the parcels belonged to a man he named only as Goodman, who is currently on the run.

The five were arrested in the Assin Fosu township after a tip off resulting in a swoop by the police to rid the area of criminals ahead of the Easter festivities.

The five are Abena Boaduwaa, Akosua Akyea, Ama Serwaa, Comfort Adu and Afia Akyere.

Three men whom the police explained are the kingpins of the drug trade were also picked up in the swoop.

Six parcels of the weed concealed in Kufuor gallons were retrieved from the culprits.

Confirming the arrest to Ultimate News’ Central Regional Correspondent Kwaku Baah-Acheamfour, the Assin Fosu District Police commander ASP Henry Batchor said the culprits will be arraigned before court soon.

The Central Regional PRO of the Ghana Prison Service, ASP Daniel Machator who confirmed the incident on Adom Midday News said the police, at noon on Wednesday, March 29, as required, through a thorough search, Felicia had the ‘dry leaves’ hidden in the soles of a pair of slippers she intended to deliver to Kwame Adu, the inmate serving 65 years in hard labour.

Upon interrogation, she said she has no idea how the substance managed to find its place in the slippers because she was sent by her husband, George Kumah, to deliver the slippers to his brother who is an inmate at the prison.

“During the clearing stage, the officers realized there was something in the sole of the slippers.  It was split opened and the weed was found.

They used super glue to keep the soles tighter. She said her husband gave it to her to deliver so she had no idea the marijuana was in it…” ASP Daniel Machator said.

ASP Daniel Machator further noted that, investigations have begun to get to the bottom of the matter.

He said once the suspect’s act is against the law, she will be arraigned before court to be dealt with.

“Once it’s against the law, she has to be arraigned to the court. She’s with the police now till investigations will be carried fully. We have to know the source…” he said.