TIG Post

Tag: genetically modified crops(GMOs)

  • GMOs, land banks a necessity for attainment of Ghana’s food sovereignty – Expert

    GMOs, land banks a necessity for attainment of Ghana’s food sovereignty – Expert

    Research scientist at the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission’s Biotechnology and Nuclear Agriculture Research Institute, Dr. Daniel Osei-Ofosu, highlighted the potential for Ghana to achieve food sovereignty by integrating biotechnology into local food production.

    He emphasized the need for well-defined land banks and discussed how genetically modified foods could address challenges such as low yields and food insecurity, thereby reducing the country’s reliance on imported food products.

    “Importation of basic food including onions, tomatoes among others demand that we begin to strongly consider innovative ideas such as GMOs to help us become food sufficient. It is very necessary,” he told the B&FT at a biotechnology forum in Accra.

    Ghana faces a significant annual import bill exceeding US$430 million for tomatoes and onions from neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger.

    The cost of a box of tomatoes in local markets surged from GH¢4,200 in January to GH¢7,500 in June this year.

    Over the past decade, Ghana’s food import expenditure has soared to an estimated US$10 billion, as reported by the Ministry of Finance.

    Dr. Osei-Ofosu emphasized the urgent need for dialogue and the adoption of biotechnology to support local farmers in producing essential food commodities.

    He highlighted that genetically modified organisms (GMOs) offer plant breeders tools for disease control, adaptation, and other benefits, dispelling misconceptions about their safety.

    Managing Ghana’s agricultural landscape effectively through initiatives like land banks is crucial for achieving food security and sovereignty, Dr. Osei-Ofosu added.

    “Once these land banks are designated and remain unencroached, the call for innovation and biotechnology in food production will also increase,” he said.

    The biotechnology forum

    A symposium convened to address the progress of genetically modified cowpea developed by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research focused on its advancement towards commercialization.

    Dr. Richard Ampadu Ameyaw, National Coordinator of the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology in Africa (OFAB) and a research scientist at CSIR, revealed that development of the GM cowpea has reached its final stages.

    Nevertheless, it is currently undergoing regulatory approval.

    “This means all due diligence, including trial and field work, has been done. We are engaging the National Seed Council and other critical stakeholders for a final decision of approval and commercialisation,” he said.

  • Kenya archbishop wants minister to say sorry for GMO comments

    Kenyan Catholic Archbishop Anthony Muheria has requested an apology from the country’s trade minister over comments he made last week regarding concern about the use of genetically modified crops – or GMOs – in the country.

    Debate around GMO use has been heating up after the government lifted a 10-year ban on their use in the face of a crippling drought and food shortage.

    Last week, in a bid to persuade Kenyans to accept the crops, Trade Secretary Moses Kuria told Kenyans: “We have so many things that can kill us in the country. Being in this country, you are a candidate for death. And because so many things compete for death, there is nothing wrong with adding GMOs to that list.”

    Archbishop Muheria said he found the comments “distasteful and disrespectful” and urged leaders not to “take Kenyans for granted” or “trivialise serious matters like food security”.

    Winnie Odinga, daughter of opposition leader Raila Odinga and East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA) member, told Kenyan radio station, Spice FM: “GMO is not something that is right for us right now.”

    Debates around GMO use in the country have been building following the government’s recent reversal of a 10-year ban on the crops. A survey conducted by a non-governmental organisation, Route to Food Initiative, last year showed that 57% of Kenyans do not welcome GMOs, who will now have to be persuaded.

    The government say the lifting of the GMO ban was prompted by the real need to ensure food security as Kenya is currently facing a severe water shortage caused by four failed consecutive rainy seasons, amid one of the harshest droughts the East African region has seen in four decades. This means crops are not able to grow, prompting warnings of potential famine.

    Source: BBC.com