Sub-Saharan Africa

Blog17 May 2023

Envisioning equitable cannabis reform in Ghana

Through participatory workshops, activists, policymakers and farmers collectively envisioned models of legal regulation for industrial hemp, medical and adult-use cannabis.

News20 April 2023

Aligning drug policy and human rights commitments at the global level – The 66th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs and drug policy reform in Ghana

At this year's CND, Ghana's recent drug policy reforms set an important precedent of how approaches to drug policy led by health and human rights priorities can prevail over the failed 'war on drugs' approach.

Publications30 March 2023

'National Dialogue on the International Guidelines on Human Rights and Drug Policy' - Ghana CND conference room paper

Ghana discusses the first ever National Dialogue on the International Guidelines on Human Rights and Drug Policy, including identifying human rights priorities and integrating them in the national plans for reform.

News10 February 2023

“We’re coming in with love, with compassion, with kindness”: The importance of peer-led advocacy in South Africa

The meaningful involvement and leadership of people who use drugs is crucial to ensure that the harm reduction response is fit for purpose.

Publications18 January 2023

The Cape Declaration on decriminalising poverty and status

Participants convened by the Campaign to Decriminalise Poverty and Status outline the harms of criminalisation for marginalised groups and call for urgent action to curb them through legal reforms, further research and funding for civil society.

News13 December 2022

Time for a humane and radical rethink on drug policy in South Africa

As South Africa lags far behind with harm reduction services compared to other countries in the region, wide-ranging reforms are needed to improve access to essential medicines, confront funding gaps and stop coercion into 'treatment'.

Publications12 December 2022

Zimbabwe situational analysis of drug use in five provinces to inform HIV and TB programming for people who use drugs

This publication provides insights into patterns of drug use, levels of knowledge and risk perception on HIV, HCV and TB, as well as barriers and facilitators to access related programmes.

News30 November 2022

Kenya: Review policy to address the youth drug addiction

Repressive approaches invariably target people from lower socio-economic status, perpetuating poverty and exclusion.

Publications29 November 2022

The socio-economic context of entry and exit from retail drug dealing: Exploring the narratives of Nigerian dealers

Ediomo-Ubong Nelson sheds light on motivations to enter the retail drug trade as well as enduring barriers to exit it.

News10 October 2022

South Africa: Criminalising children for cannabis use unconstitutional – ConCourt

The case and ruling were triggered after four children were set to undergo a compulsory residential diversion programme following a school-sanctioned drug test.

Events

Policing and vulnerability in Africa - Advanced human rights course,

Online

4 September 2022 - 8 September 2022

The course seeks to build a community of practitioners in the continent who can become active advocates for increase accountability of the police.

News1 September 2022

Ghana's legal cannabis hits a constitutional roadblock

Ghana's recent drug law reform goes back to the floor for amendments, offering an opportunity to further its alignment with human rights and social inclusion.

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