The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has directed all individuals, businesses, institutions, and organisations involved in the handling of precursor chemicals, psychotropic substances, and controlled laboratory equipment to register with the Commission by 31st July 2026 or risk legal action.
The directive is part of a nationwide effort to improve the monitoring and regulation of chemicals and equipment that could be diverted for the illegal production of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
In a public notice, NACOC stated that the registration requirement is in line with the Narcotics Control Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019).
Under the law, anyone engaged in activities involving these substances or equipment must obtain the necessary licence and authorisation before starting or continuing operations.
The registration requirement covers entities involved in the import, export, manufacture, production, distribution, wholesale, retail, storage, transportation, and brokerage of precursor chemicals and psychotropic substances.
It also applies to laboratories, research centres, educational institutions, and industrial users that handle such materials.
NACOC further reminded existing operators to ensure that their registrations and licences remain valid by renewing them before they expire.
According to the Commission, the registration exercise is aimed at promoting the lawful use of precursor chemicals and controlled laboratory equipment, preventing their misuse in the production of illegal drugs, enhancing national security and public safety, and ensuring Ghana complies with both domestic and international legal obligations.
The Commission warned that anyone operating without the required registration, licence, or authorisation would be violating the law and could face administrative, civil, or criminal sanctions under Act 1019.
NACOC also identified a range of controlled equipment regulated under its framework.
These include encapsulating machines, tableting machines, rotary evaporators, high-capacity laboratory glassware, reaction vessels, condensers, separating funnels, heating apparatus, mixers, pill counting machines, pill polishing machines, punches and dies, as well as any other equipment designated by the Commission.
The Commission urged all affected individuals and organisations that have not yet registered to begin the process without delay.
It also encouraged existing operators to regularise their registration status before the 31st July 2026 deadline to avoid possible sanctions.
