Labourer Fined GH¢120,000 for Possessing and Selling Cannabis, Tramadol

• A 20-year-old labourer, Kojo Sah Nkrumah, received a GH¢120,000 fine from the Tarkwa Circuit Court.
• He pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing and selling cannabis and tramadol without lawful authority.
• Failure to pay the fine will result in a three-year prison sentence for Nkrumah.
• Nkrumah was arrested during a night patrol in Tarkwa with 81 pieces of suspected cannabis and seven sachets of tramadol.
• Forensic analysis confirmed the seized plant material contained delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, weighing 139.61 grammes.

This particular judgment, delivered by Ms Bernice Mensimah Ackon, sets a notable precedent regarding the Ghana narcotic drugs possession penalty, especially for individuals found involved in both the possession and sale of controlled substances.

A 20-year-old labourer, Kojo Sah Nkrumah, has been handed a significant financial penalty by the Tarkwa Circuit Court following his conviction on drug-related charges. Nkrumah pleaded guilty to two distinct counts concerning the unauthorized possession and sale of narcotic substances, specifically cannabis and tramadol, without lawful authority. The court, presided over by Ms Bernice Mensimah Ackon, issued a substantial fine amounting to GH¢120,000 for these offenses.

This substantial Tarkwa Circuit Court cannabis tramadol fine carries a severe alternative: should Nkrumah fail to remit the stipulated amount, he faces a three-year term of imprisonment. The swift resolution of the case, with Nkrumah's own plea forming the direct basis of the conviction and sentencing, underscores the court's direct and uncompromising approach to such offenses. This outcome serves as a clear and firm indicator of the judicial stance on illicit drug activities within the region, emphasizing accountability for those engaged in the drug trade.

The events leading to Kojo Sah Nkrumah's conviction began in the early hours of January 21, 2025, around 0130. Police officers from the Western Central Regional Formed Police Unit (RFPU) Base in Tarkwa, operating under the leadership of Chief Inspector Issahaque Yahaya, were conducting a routine night patrol. Their patrol extended to the Tarkwa Railway Station, a known area, where they observed Nkrumah seated beneath a shed, engaged in what appeared to be the sale of suspicious substances to passersby.

Upon searching Nkrumah, officers discovered a takeaway bag containing 81 individually wrapped pieces of dried leaves, which they suspected to be cannabis, alongside seven sachets of tramadol. Additionally, GH¢240 in cash was found on his person, believed by the prosecution to be immediate proceeds from the sale of these illicit items. The confiscated materials were subsequently transported to the Tarkwa Police Station for processing. On April 25, 2025, these exhibits were dispatched to the Forensic Crime Laboratory in Accra for detailed scientific analysis. A comprehensive report issued on May 13, 2025, definitively confirmed that the plant material contained delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive component of cannabis, with a gross weight recorded at 139.61 grammes, providing crucial evidence for the prosecution.

The Kojo Sah Nkrumah drug conviction and the subsequent Tarkwa Circuit Court cannabis tramadol fine highlight the stringent approach taken by Ghanaian authorities against narcotic offenses. This particular judgment, delivered by Ms Bernice Mensimah Ackon, sets a notable precedent regarding the Ghana narcotic drugs possession penalty, especially for individuals found involved in both the possession and sale of controlled substances. It signals a robust and unwavering commitment to drug trafficking Ghana enforcement, even for what might be considered relatively smaller-scale operations.

The significant financial penalty, coupled with a substantial custodial sentence in default of payment, reflects the serious view the judiciary holds on the distribution of controlled substances like cannabis and tramadol. This case serves as a critical reference point for legal practitioners and compliance officers operating within Ghana, demonstrating the potential severe consequences for those found engaging in similar illicit activities within the Western Region and beyond. The detailed forensic confirmation of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol further solidifies the evidence base required for such convictions, reinforcing the legal framework.

Lawyers defending clients accused of similar drug offenses in Ghana, particularly in the Western Region, should note this specific sentencing precedent from the Tarkwa Circuit Court, which demonstrates the court's approach to penalties for possession and sale of cannabis and tramadol. Compliance officers should be aware of the strict enforcement and significant fines/imprisonment terms for drug-related offenses.

Source: Original reporting via GNA