Narcotics Control Commission Organizes Training for Judges
The Narcotics Control Commission held a workshop in Kumasi to equip judges and magistrates on the New Narcotics Control Commission Act 2020(Act 1019). The training was to lay bare the judicial actors in the different jurisdictions. The Act provides to the courts and sharpens the confidence of judges to situate law enforcement with the public health context, including support for harm reduction for people who use drugs.
The judicial training institute and the Perfecter of Sentiments (POS) Foundation organized the program in partnership with the International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) and the West Africa Drug Policy Network (WADPN) Ghana chapter with funds from the open society foundation.
The Narcotics Control Commission Act 2020(Act 1019) was passed by parliament on March 20, 2022, and assented to by President Akuffo on May 11, 2020.
The workshop was held on the theme “Understanding the Narcotics Control Commission Act 2020(Act 1019). The role of judges in health rights based best practices to and people who use drugs in the implementation of the Act”.
Executive Director of POS Foundation, Jonathan Osei Owusu said the workshop was also to raise awareness about the New Narcotics Control Commission Act among national stakeholders.
He added that the training will furnish judges and magistrates to effectively handle offenses under the Act 1019 in their courts, hinting that the new law represents an important example for drug policy reform advocacy in West Africa. Acting Director of the Judicial Training Institute and court Appeal judge, Justice Dennis Adjei, said it was necessary to train the judges and magistrates on the new law to help them use it effectively.
He hinted that ” if a person has a previous conviction for supply distribution of narcotic drugs is convicted again, the person should be given a life sentence”.
Story By: Akosua Marfowaa Diana
