The United Kingdom has been identified as the main destination for illicit cannabis exports from Ghana, according to the Global Organised Crime Index.
The report attributes the demand to the potency of cannabis cultivated in Ghana, noting that the product has attracted markets in Europe and North America.
“Renowned for its potency, Ghanaian cannabis has become sought after in North American and European markets, with the UK now the primary destination for the country’s cannabis exports,” the report states.
It also identifies Ghana as a major cannabis cultivation area in Africa, noting that cannabis seizures account for a significant proportion of drug interceptions in the country.
The report points to an increase in the interception of cannabis consignments at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra and in border communities, linking the trend to rising demand for high-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) cannabis produced in Ghana.
“In particular, there has been a notable rise in the seizure of cannabis-laden cargo at the Accra International Airport and at border towns, driven by increasing demand for the high-THC cannabis produced in Ghana,” it states.
The findings further suggest that the expansion of cannabis cultivation has been partly influenced by misconceptions about Ghana’s legal framework for the plant’s use for medicinal and industrial purposes.
According to the report, cultivation expanded following the decriminalisation of cannabis for specific health and industrial applications, with some people misunderstanding the scope of the legal changes.
The report also notes that cannabis cultivation provides a source of income for some communities in Ghana, highlighting the economic factors associated with the activity.
Read the report below:
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