Kojo Sah Nkrumah fined GH‵120,000 for drug possession and sale

Kojo Sah Nkrumah, a 20-year-old labourer, has been ordered by the Tarkwa Circuit Court to pay a fine of GH₵120,000 for the illegal possession and sale of narcotic drugs. The court convicted Nkrumah after he pleaded guilty to charges related to the possession of cannabis and tramadol without lawful authority. If he fails to pay the fine, he will serve a three-year prison sentence.

The prosecution, led by Police Chief Inspector Benson Benneh, detailed that the arrest occurred on January 21, 2025, during a routine night patrol. Officers from the Tarkwa District Police Command encountered Nkrumah at the Tarkwa Railway Station, where he was observed engaging in suspicious activities. Upon a search of his bag, police discovered 81 pieces of dried leaves suspected to be cannabis and seven sachets of tramadol, alongside cash believed to be proceeds from drug sales.

Subsequent forensic examinations conducted at the Ghana Police Forensic Science Laboratory confirmed the nature of the substances. The laboratory report indicated that the 139.61 grammes of dried leaves tested positive for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active psychoactive component in cannabis. The tramadol was also confirmed as a controlled substance held without the necessary legal permits.

In passing judgment, the court noted the convict’s admission of guilt while highlighting the seriousness of distributing illicit substances within the municipality. This sentencing underscores the ongoing judicial and law enforcement efforts to tackle drug-related crimes in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem area. Nkrumah currently remains in custody pending the settlement of the GH₵120,000 fine or his transfer to a correctional facility.