Kwaw Kese Seeks $1M Compensation from Ghana Police for 2015 Arrest over Marijuana Use

Ghanaian rapper Kwaw Kese is considering legal action against the Ghana Police, seeking $1 million in damages for his arrest and conviction related to marijuana use in 2015. He believes his arrest was discriminatory, especially compared to the leniency shown to foreigners who violated the same laws.

Speaking on Hitz FM, Kwaw Kese expressed his intention to consult with his lawyers regarding the legal steps to take. He emphasized the lack of concrete evidence against him, stating that there was no proof of him smoking marijuana. He highlighted instances where foreigners were seen publicly smoking marijuana in Ghana without facing similar consequences.

Kwaw Kese noted that his arrest had a negative impact on his reputation and career. He mentioned having evidence of other foreign nationals engaging in similar activities without facing legal repercussions, which he believes warrants compensation for the harm caused to his name and image.

In 2015, Kwaw Kese was convicted of narcotic offenses and sentenced to a day’s imprisonment along with a fine of GHȼ1,200. He pointed out a contrasting incident in 2020 when Jamaican musician Popcaan was seen publicly smoking what appeared to be marijuana during his visit to Ghana for the Year of Return initiative. This event further fueled Kwaw Kese’s criticism of the Ghana Police, highlighting what he perceives as a double standard in the application of the law between citizens and foreigners.