Ghana is gradually moving towards decriminalizing the use of marijuana.

A process has begun towards crafting legislation to decriminalize the use of marijuana and other narcotics.

This will ensure that attitudes to drug addicts move away from shaming them to helping them.

A new report by the International Narcotics Control Board lists the drug as the most abused substance in West Africa.

According to the report, only one out of 18 addicts gets help as a result of the criminalization.

Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan recently called for the decriminalization of cannabis to help tackle abuse of the substance.

Deputy Minister of the Interior James Agalga has also given hinted that a bill has been presented to parliament to address the issue on the decriminalizing of marijuana.

Mr. Agalga also added that the current situation where only one out of 18 people receives treatment for suffering from drug abuse, is worrying and must be reversed.

“In Africa only an estimated one out of 18 people suffering from drug use receive treatment each year, which is alarming,” Mr. Agalga said.