The National Biosafety Authority (NBA) has come out to provide clarity on the approval status of genetically modified (GM) products in Ghana.
Contrary to earlier reports, the NBA has stated that they have not approved the cultivation of the seeds of 14 GM products in the country.
According to an official statement released by the NBA, the approved GMO events are strictly designated for food, feed, or processing purposes and are not meant for cultivation within Ghana.
This clarification comes after concerns were raised by the Peasant Farmers Association about the potential impact on Ghana’s native agricultural systems.
The NBA emphasized that while the seed products have been registered, it is only to facilitate their importation by interested parties. Prior to importing these seeds, entities must obtain an import permit from the NBA in line with regulatory protocols.
The NBA reassured the public of the safety of the approved GM products, specifically mentioning the Bt Cowpea developed by SARI, and the 14 events submitted by Bayer West-Central Africa S.A and Syngenta South Africa. These products, which include eight maize and six soybean varieties, are intended for direct use as food, feed, or processing and not for planting.
It is important for Ghanaians to understand that the registered products are not meant for cultivation but for consumption and processing.
The approval for these products was granted after a rigorous evaluation process by the NBA Technical Advisory Committee, in line with the Biosafety Act, 2011 (Act 831) and the Biosafety (Management of Biotechnology) Regulations, 2019 (LI 2383).
