The government has stated that the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down portions of the Narcotic Control Commission Act that permitted the growth of specific types of cannabis for therapeutic and industrial uses was a grave blunder.
The Supreme Court had previously decided in favour of a petitioner who claimed the apex court’s original jurisdiction to invalidate the clause, which was enacted in contravention of Article 106 of the 1992 Constitution.
However, a review application submitted by the Attorney-General’s Office was denied in a 5-4 judgement.
The Minister of Interior, Ambrose Dery, claimed in a submission for an amendment to the Narcotic Control Commission Act that the amendment bill does not seek to legalise recreational cannabis use, but rather to establish an avenue for the issuing of special licences for cannabis cultivation.
“To therefore say that Section 43 is unconstitutional, was in my humble opinion a grievous error. However, because we need to be in tandem with the international movement, and also because we consider this to be a public health issue and benefit of industrial as well as economic value, this amendment is necessary to let us put back what has been in my view declared unconstitutional,” Mr Dery argued.
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, criticised the Supreme Court’s decision and forwarded the Narcotics Control Commission modification bill to the Defence and Interior Committee for review, directing them to report within seven days.
“I think the country is losing a lot as a result of this decision. We need to work expeditiously to rectify the wrong. I hope that the three arms of government will work together and respect each other. In cases of doubt, it is important to consult the other arm before giving finality to whatever decision the other arms want to take.
“I don’t think that it is proper for the judiciary, without knowing how we conduct our business here, to really go into how we conduct our business and make such an important decision without consulting the House. That is improper,” the Speaker of Parliament said.
Source: citinewsroom.com
