Kojo Yankah, the Founder of the PanAfrican Heritage Museum (PAHM), has expressed support for peasant farmers in Ghana who are against the use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in agriculture.
In a post on his Facebook page, Yankah emphasized the importance of listening to the concerns of farmers who play a vital role in feeding the nation.
He highlighted the preference of peasant farmers for natural seeds over laboratory-modified GMO seeds, citing concerns about the loss of fertility in farming lands due to chemical use and the increase in health problems associated with GMO crops.
The recent approval for the commercialization of 14 novel genetically modified products in Ghana by the National Biosafety Authority (NBA) has sparked criticism from peasant farmers. Wepia Addo Awal Adugwala, the president of the peasant farmers, raised concerns about the adoption of GMO technology, pointing out that local farmers have successfully produced food using traditional seeds without government support.
Adugwala questioned the need for laboratory seeds when local seeds have proven to be effective, raising doubts about the motivations behind the decision to approve GMO crops in Ghana. He urged the government and Ghanaian scientists to prioritize the well-being of Ghanaians over their own interests.
In response to the concerns raised by farmers, the NBA clarified that they had not granted approval for the cultivation of GM seeds in Ghana. The Chief Executive Officer of NBA, Eric Amaning Okoree, emphasized that the 14 approved GM products are intended for food, feed, or processing purposes and are not meant for cultivation.
Okoree assured Ghanaians of the safety of GM products that have received NBA’s approval, citing a thorough risk assessment and evaluation process. He defended the need for Ghana to embrace emerging plant breeding technologies for improved crop yields and food security, dismissing speculation about the negative impact of GMOs on farmers.
The NBA’s statement aimed to address misconceptions and provide clarity on the regulatory processes governing GM products in Ghana. Despite the controversy surrounding GMOs, the NBA remains committed to ensuring the safety of GMOs officially released in the country and monitoring any unapproved GMOs.
