A court in Ghana sentenced a 23-year-old man to 10 years in prison with hard labour for trafficking cannabis.[1][2] Clinton Awuku was convicted by the Jasikan Circuit Court on 1 September 2026 after pleading guilty with explanation to unlawful possession or control of narcotic plants for trafficking, contrary to section 41(2)(b) of the Narcotics Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019).[1][2]
Police arrested Awuku at Nkonya Ahenkro in the Oti Region on 31 March 2026 after finding 21 compressed parcels of suspected cannabis concealed in a bag he was carrying.[1][2] The Nkonya District Police Command secured the conviction, and the Oti Regional Police Headquarters announced it in a statement signed by regional public affairs officer Deputy Superintendent John Nchor.[1][2]
Judge Isaac Osei Asare sentenced him to 10 years’ imprisonment with hard labour and imposed a fine of 10,000 penalty units, with an additional three years in prison if he did not pay.[1][2] The court also ordered the destruction of the cannabis in the presence of relevant stakeholders.[1][2]
The police command said it remained committed to combating narcotics offences and urged the public to keep providing information.[1][2]