The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has directed all persons, businesses and institutions operating within the precursor chemicals, psychotropic substances and controlled equipment supply chain to register with the Commission, setting July 31, 2026, as the deadline for compliance.
According to NACOC registration is now mandatory for every entity engaged in activities involving these substances and equipment, warning that operating without the requisite authorisation constitutes a violation of the law with serious legal consequences.
According to the Commission, the registration requirement is grounded in the Narcotics Control Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019), which mandates that all operators engaged in activities involving precursor chemicals, psychotropic substances and controlled equipment obtain the appropriate licence and authorisation from NACOC before commencing or continuing operations.
“Pursuant to the Narcotics Control Commission Act, 2020, all operators engaged in the above activities are required to obtain the appropriate license and authorization from NACOC prior to commencing or continuing operations.”
Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC)
NACOC explained that the directive forms part of a nationwide initiative to strengthen oversight of the supply chain for these controlled substances and equipment, ensuring that every operator is properly identified, registered and regulated in line with the law.
The notice specifies that the registration requirement applies broadly, covering persons and entities engaged in importation and exportation, manufacture and production, distribution, wholesale and retail, as well as sale and storage of precursor chemicals, psychotropic substances and controlled equipment.
It further extends to transportation and brokerage, laboratory, research and industrial use, and even educational institutions that handle any of these regulated materials, signalling that the directive touches a wide cross section of Ghana’s commercial and academic landscape rather than a narrow category of industrial operators.
Equipment List Spells Out Scope of Control
Beyond chemicals and substances, NACOC published an extensive list of controlled equipment falling under its regulatory framework, underscoring the technical depth of the monitoring exercise. The list includes encapsulating and tableting machines, rotary evaporators, laboratory equipment with a capacity of 25 litres or more, condensers, separating funnels and heating apparatus.
Also captured are high-capacity glassware exceeding 15 litres, brain maries, reaction vessels, pill or tablet counting machines, pill polishers, mixers, and punches and dies, alongside any other equipment the Commission may designate as controlled under the Act.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the following equipment falls under the control and monitoring framework of NACOC and requires registration and regulatory oversight where applicable.”
Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC)
The Commission noted that this equipment list was designed to leave no ambiguity for operators who may possess or use such machinery, particularly within pharmaceutical, laboratory and industrial settings where some of these items are common.
While the directive primarily targets unregistered entities, NACOC clarified that operators who are already registered are not exempt from scrutiny. The Commission reminded such entities to ensure that their registration and licences remain valid, current and duly renewed, suggesting that lapses in existing paperwork could also expose operators to sanctions.
Registration Tied to National Security Goals
Explaining the rationale behind the exercise, NACOC said registration with the Commission serves several critical purposes, including promoting the legitimate and lawful use of precursor chemicals and controlled equipment, and preventing the diversion of these substances into the illicit manufacture of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
“Registration with NACOC is essential to promote the legitimate and lawful use of precursor chemicals and controlled equipment, and to prevent the diversion of these substances into the illicit manufacture of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.”
Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC)
The Commission added that the exercise is also intended to enhance national security and safeguard public safety, while ensuring the country meets its obligations under national legislation and international agreements governing controlled substances.
Non Compliance to Attract Sanctions
NACOC issued a stern warning to entities that fail to comply with the directive, stating that operating without the requisite registration, licence or authorisation amounts to a breach of the law and may attract administrative, civil or criminal sanctions as prescribed under Act 1019.
The Commission urged all affected persons, businesses and organisations to contact its offices without delay to begin the registration process or regularise any existing registration that may have lapsed.
With the July 31 deadline fast approaching, NACOC’s latest directive places renewed pressure on businesses, laboratories, educational institutions and other operators across the precursor chemicals and controlled equipment supply chain to formalise their operations or risk falling foul of the law.
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