Cannabis-infused ice cream, eggs and pepper: NACOC warns of growing drug trade on campuses

NACOC says students are increasingly leading the sale of cannabis products in universities and colleges

Ghana's anti-narcotics agency has raised alarm over what it describes as a growing drug trade on university and college campuses, warning that some students are now openly selling cannabis-infused products to their colleagues during campus events.

The warning follows the arrest of five students from Central University who are alleged to have produced and sold cannabis-laced products, including ice cream, sobolo, toffees and pepper, at a student gathering.

Officials at the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) say the case has exposed a troubling trend: students are no longer just consumers of illicit substances but are increasingly becoming distributors and organisers of the trade.

"You think you're buying ice cream"

Speaking on Joy FM on Thursday June 25, NACOC's Deputy Director-General for Enforcement, Control and Elimination, Alexander Twum-Barimah, said investigators had uncovered cases where cannabis was being mixed into everyday food products sold on campuses.

"One of the products being sold was cannabis-infused ice cream," he said.

"So you go to that stand, you want to buy an ice cream and that ice cream that you are buying is cannabis infused."

He also claimed investigators found evidence that cannabis had been mixed into pepper served alongside boiled eggs.

"To the extent that even egg and pepper, this egg and pepper that is sold by the roadside, had cannabis infused in it," he said, adding that the substance was allegedly mixed into the pepper rather than the egg itself.

Students becoming key players in campus drug trade

The arrests have prompted fresh concerns about the scale of drug activity in tertiary institutions across the country.

According to Mr Twum-Barimah, investigators initially believed that outsiders were largely responsible for introducing narcotics onto campuses.

Recent investigations, however, suggest students themselves are increasingly playing leading roles in the distribution and sale of cannabis-related products.

"It turns out that even now the students are becoming the proponents or the leaders. The ones who are leading the sale of these things in the schools," he said.

The NACOC official described the development as deeply worrying, questioning why students pursuing professional careers would become involved in narcotics-related activities.

"How could a 21-year-old girl be a trader of cannabis-related products instead of learning law that she has gone to school to learn?" he asked.

Growing concern across universities and colleges

Mr Twum-Barimah said drug use and trafficking were becoming more prevalent across tertiary institutions, including universities, nursing training colleges and teacher training colleges.

"I can say without fear that the presence of drugs in our tertiary institutions is getting so high," he said.

The latest arrests have reignited debate about student welfare, drug abuse and security on campuses, with education stakeholders calling for stronger preventive measures and awareness campaigns.

Investigation widens

NACOC says investigations are continuing to determine where the suspects obtained the cannabis and whether a broader supply network is operating behind the scenes.

Authorities are also seeking to identify potential suppliers and establish how the products were produced and distributed.

The five students remain under investigation, while management of Central University says it is cooperating with NACOC and other security agencies.

Education remains the first line of defence

Despite the arrests, NACOC says enforcement alone will not solve the problem.

Mr Twum-Barimah said the Commission's primary strategy remains education and prevention, with ongoing partnerships between NACOC and educational institutions aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of drug abuse.

As investigations continue, the case is likely to intensify scrutiny of drug activity on Ghana's campuses and raise new questions about how universities can protect students from the growing influence of narcotics.