This morning, President Duma Boko officiated the Eastern and Southern Africa Commission on Drugs’ (ESACD) policy-making and regulatory framework event on cannabis. The event aimed to facilitate an open dialogue on the regional implementation of policies concerning the cultivation and distribution of cannabis for medical and industrial purposes.
Among the distinguished attendees were former South African President Kgalemang Motlanthe, the European Delegation to Botswana, the Minister of International Relations, the Assistant Minister of Health, and the Assistant Minister for Lands and Agriculture. Each of these stakeholders expressed their strong support for the ESACD’s efforts in shaping a comprehensive regulatory framework for cannabis within the region.
In his address, President Boko emphasized the critical role of the ESACD in addressing challenges posed by transnational organized crime networks, particularly within Africa. He noted that, through collaboration with governments, civil society, and international agencies, the ESACD has undertaken extensive research on organized crime across the continent. Their collective efforts aim to strengthen the capacity of African law enforcement and judicial systems to ensure the safe and controlled use of drugs, including cannabis, within the Eastern and Southern African regions.
President Boko further highlighted that this high-level meeting serves as an essential platform for Botswana to develop an evidence-based framework for managing the cultivation and distribution of cannabis and industrial hemp. The discussions are expected to contribute to well-informed policy decisions that align with both regional and global best practices, fostering sustainable economic opportunities while ensuring strict regulatory oversight.
