{
  "id": 14127764,
  "title": "Government plans mandatory drug tests for public service jobs — Muntaka",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/government-plans-mandatory-drug-tests-for-public-service-jobs-muntaka",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-13T05:19:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/government-plans-mandatory-drug-tests-for-public-service-jobs-muntaka/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Interior Minister Mohammed Muntaka announced plans for mandatory drug testing in public service jobs, with plans to expand to the private sector upon Cabinet approval. Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Mr Muntaka highlighted the recent security services recruitment where over 6,000 applicants were disqualified for failing drug tests. He expressed concern about substance abuse among security personnel and plans to incorporate drug and mental health screenings in recruitment procedures. The minister also cited instances of students smuggling drugs into schools and illegal cannabis cultivation, leading to intensified enforcement efforts, including the destruction of illicit cannabis farms and arrests of offenders. He urged applications for licenses to cultivate and trade in regulated industrial cannabis to strengthen oversight and curb illegal activities. Ghana’s existing framework includes the Narcotics Control Commission (Amendment) Act, 2023, and regulations limiting THC content to 0.3 percent for industrial and medicinal purposes.",
  "summary": "The government is preparing a Cabinet memorandum to introduce mandatory drug testing for applicants seeking employment in the public service, Interior Minister Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka has announced. Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Monday, October 12, 2026, Mr Muntaka said the proposed policy would initially target public service recruitment, with plans to extend […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}