Food Sovereignty Ghana and the Peasant Farmers Association Ghana have strongly opposed the importation of Genetically Modified Products (GM) into the Ghanaian market.
The Ghana National Biosafety Authority (NBA) recently granted approval for the commercialization of 14 newly developed genetically modified products, including eight maize and six soybean varieties.
This approval allows for the use of these GM products in various sectors, such as food, feed, and industrial applications.
Mr. Bismarck Owusu Nortey, Executive Director of the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana, has firmly rejected this decision and has vowed to prevent genetically modified products from entering the Ghanaian market.
“We Ghanaians do not accept the decision and will not allow GM products to penetrate through our markets.
He said the association do not trust the government and its primary concern revolves around the possible long-term impacts of GM products on both human health and the environment.
They argued that the safety of GM foods isn’t definitively established, with fears of unforeseen consequences on biodiversity and ecosystems.
Mr Edwin Kweku Andoh Baffour, the Communications Director of Food Sovereignty Ghana expressed his disappointment with the decision of the regulators and key stakeholders of Ghana’s participation in biotechnology, to approve the release of no less than 14 GMOs into our environment and food system.
He said the decision will lead to grave and possibly irreversible consequences on our collective health, environment and agricultural systems.
Source: Oyerepafmonline.com / Bernard K Dadzie
