Kumasi: Coach Nana Kwaku Agyemang, Chief Executive Officer of HEMPIRE Agric Ghana Limited, has called on Ghanaians to embrace industrial hemp cultivation, describing it as a safe and economically beneficial venture that can also support medical treatments, including epilepsy. Speaking on OTEC FM's breakfast show Nyansapo on Thursday, February 13, 2026, Coach Agyemang sought to allay public fears about industrial marijuana, stressing that it is different from recreational cannabis.
According to Ghana Web, Coach Agyemang highlighted that industrial hemp is not about smoking and does not get users 'high,' unlike the recreational forms of marijuana. He emphasized that industrial hemp contains very low levels of THC and can be used to support medical treatments such as epilepsy. He further noted the potential of this emerging industry to contribute significantly to Ghana's economic growth through job creation and revenue generation.
Coach Agyemang pointed out the various benefits that the industrial hemp industry could bring to Ghana, particularly in revenue generation, export opportunities, and employment. He expressed optimism that with the right positioning, hemp could become a major agricultural and industrial commodity for the country.
His comments come as the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) is set to implement Ghana's licensing regime for medicinal and industrial cannabis cultivation. This follows parliamentary approval of the regulatory and cost framework. NACOC, in a press statement dated February 11, 2026, announced its plans to operationalise the licensing system for the controlled cultivation, processing, and use of cannabis with THC content not exceeding 0.3 per cent.
According to NACOC, licenses will be issued only to entities that meet strict requirements, including robust security measures, product traceability systems, quality assurance standards, and compliance with existing laws and regulations. The Commission emphasized that the new regulatory framework aims to ensure responsible cultivation and use of industrial and medicinal cannabis while preventing abuse and illegal diversion.
Coach Agyemang urged investors, farmers, and policymakers to support the initiative, describing it as a timely opportunity for national development. He stressed that with the right regulations and commitment, industrial hemp could transform Ghana's agricultural sector and improve healthcare outcomes.