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‘Wee’ has great potential for Ghana’s pharmaceutical industry – Akrasi Sarpong

Ghana has the opportunity to embark on another journey of ‘industrialisation’ with cannabis ‘wee’ following its decriminalisation, former Executive Secretary of the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB), now Narcotics Control Commission, Mr Yaw Akrasi Sarpong, has proposed.

“Wee has great potentials for Ghana’s pharmaceutical industry. The seeds are used to make hemp creams used by women and it will help the economy, so the state should think about it,” he added.

Mr Sarpong made the suggestion when he spoke on the theme ‘Thinking outside the box, cannabis governance,-The international and national perspectives’ at day’s workshop organised by Perfector of Sentiments (POS) Foundation for law enforcement officers and prosecutors at Takoradi recently.

He said “Cannabis, (wee), can be used for industrial and medicinal purposes, it can be processed in bouquet machines. “Ghana Beyond Aid”, that’s what it means, Nkrumah spoke about neo- colonialism, we must grow the cannabis locally and give people right to use it.”

According to him, Americans funded the war chest during the Second World War with cannabis trade, producing their own papers, ropes and tents from the ‘wee’ plant, but Europeans rather banned Akpeteshie and cunningly promoted their whisky in Africa in the 1940s.

He told the participants that, the police and the military could establish agricultural branches to grow in commercial quantity to produce their own uniforms, but posed this question: “why do we use our scarce foreign exchange to import it?”

Mr. Akrasi Sarpong said, “America’s war effort was funded by industrial people using cannabis to make ropes, cables and building hempcrete and tents. People use the seeds to make cream. So, there are industrial purposes, people use it for medicinal purposes, and we can get medicines out of cannabis. Cannabis is older than the American state.”

Thailand, he said, had legislated recently that people could grow cannabis in their homes, while in South Africa, it is a recreational drug because they had decriminalised the drug (cannabis)

“We need to think outside the box. America used it for over 80 years for a good purpose but we are saying it’s a crime.

“The state of California, the sixth biggest economy, earns over $3 billion a year from cannabis. In Ghana, oh! its evil, it will be good we grow it here. Police should think about it, of course, it’s dangerous for children.” he stressed.

From Clement Adzei Boye, Takoradi

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Many SOEs have been used as mere instruments for personal wealth accumulation –Pres.Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has expressed concern over the misuse of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) for personal financial gain by individuals in leadership positions.

Speaking during a meeting with Chief Executives of specified entities under the State Interest and Governance Authority (SIGA) on Thursday, March 13, the President directly attributed the dire state of SOEs to their leadership, accusing chief executives, management teams, and governing boards of prioritising personal enrichment over organisational efficiency.

He pointed to bloated budgets, unjustified allowances, and unnecessary expenditures as factors draining public funds while SOEs continue to rely on government bailouts.

“Many SOEs have been used as mere instruments for personal wealth accumulation by appointees. The chief executives, management, and boards of these enterprises are responsible for this situation. Some SOEs have become perennial loss-makers, draining public funds with bloated budgets, unjustified allowances, and unnecessary expenditures while relying on government bailouts as if entitled to them. Many of these entities are at their lowest point in the entire history of the Fourth Republic,” he said.

President Mahama further noted that many SOEs have been plagued by inefficiencies, corruption, and mismanagement, leading to consistent financial losses. He cited the 2023 State Ownership Report by the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA), which highlighted systemic inefficiencies and wasteful expenditures within these entities.

He therefore reaffirmed his commitment to reforming under-performing SOEs and ensuring they serve national interests.

He warned that loss-making SOEs will no longer be tolerated and will either be merged, privatised, or closed.

“I will assess you based on your performance. If you do not align with the pace of the reset agenda, you may be asked to step aside. If that adds to the horror movie, so be it,” he added.

Source: Myjoyonline.com

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Prophet Courage Heavens set to launch ‘Predestination’ book on March 23

Prophet Courage A. Heavens is set to launch the much-awaited book titled ‘Predestination’ on Sunday, March 23, 2025 at 5:00PM.

The launch, which is expected to impact lives, will take place at Crossgates Ministries, Flattop, off N1 Highway, opposite Angel Hauz.

The book is aimed at addressing the way people struggle to understand how free will and destiny align.

It is also aimed at providing clarity on God’s sovereignty and one’s place in His divine plan.

The various chapters of the book address various issues through scriptures and personal stories.

Committed to impacting society, part of the proceeds from the book will go into Courage Heavens Education Legacy (CHEL), an educational foundation transforming lives.

CHEL is dedicated to providing financial support and mentorship to brilliant but needy students, ensuring they have access to quality education and opportunities for a better future.

Prophet Courage Heavens is a prolific writer and previously authored Eli Eli Lama Sabachthani, a powerful book that encourages unwavering faith in times of trials.

In addition, he has written seven more prophetic and life-changing books that are yet to be published.

He is dedicated to raising the next generation for impactful ministry. As the leader of Crossgates Ministries, he nurtures believers in faith and purpose.