The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has directed pharmacies, laboratories, importers, manufacturers and other operators dealing in precursor chemicals, psychotropic substances and controlled equipment to register with the Commission by July, 31, 2026, as part of efforts to prevent the illegal manufacture of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
The Commission warned that operators who fail to obtain the required registration, licence or authorisation under the Narcotics Control Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019), could face administrative, civil or criminal sanctions.
The directive was contained in a public notice issued by NACOC under Act 1019.
The Commission explained that all persons, businesses and institutions involved in the importation, exportation, manufacture, production, distribution, wholesale, retail, storage, transportation and brokerage of precursor chemicals, psychotropic substances and controlled equipment must obtain the appropriate licence and authorisation before starting or continuing their operations.
The requirement also covers laboratories, research institutions, industrial users and educational institutions handling the regulated substances and equipment.
According to NACOC, the nationwide registration exercise is intended to identify and regulate operators dealing in precursor chemicals and controlled equipment to prevent the diversion of such materials into the illegal manufacture of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
The Commission said the exercise would also support compliance with the country's laws and Ghana's international obligations on the control of narcotic drugs and related substances.
NACOC listed the controlled equipment covered by the directive to include encapsulating machines, tableting machines, rotary evaporators, laboratory equipment with a capacity of 25 litres or more, condensers, separating funnels, heating apparatus, glassware with a capacity of 15 litres or more, bain-maries, reaction vessels, pill and tablet counting machines, pill polishers, mixers, and punches and dies.
It warned that any person or organisation operating without the required registration, licence or authorisation would be in breach of the law and could face administrative, civil or criminal sanctions under Act 1019.
The Commission urged all affected businesses and institutions to begin the registration process without delay or regularise their existing registration status before the July, 31, 2026, deadline.
NACOC also advised operators who were already registered to ensure their licences and registration certificates remained valid and were renewed before they expired.
The Commission said tighter regulation of precursor chemicals and controlled equipment would help reduce their misuse by criminal networks involved in the illegal production of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances while protecting public safety.
