Is Ghana ready for GMO crop production?

Many farmers, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), journalists and indeed, the general public are skeptical about the introduction of genetically modified crops (GMO) or DNA into agricultural productivity in Ghana.

Some people hold the view that the introduction of GM crops would be to the disadvantage of smallholder farmers as it might throw them out of business, and increase poverty in the country.

Others think GM crops are hazardous, alien, environmentally injurious and costly due to the rigorous scientific processing of plants and materials before utilization.

Even in some developed countries, such as the USA, China, Argentina and Canada where GM crops are popular, not many people accept the methodology.

In recent times, many countries across the globe have banned the use of GM foods because of the health implications associated with its use.

Australia, New Zealand, Germany, France and Ireland are among countries that have banned the use of GMO crops to protect their citizens from any possible health implications.

Ironically, Ghana in 2011 passed a law legalizing the use of GMs in the country as the Biosafety Act 831 permits the use and cultivation of biotechnology crops in the country.

The World Health Organization (WHO) explains in its website that genetically modified (GM) foods are foods derived from organisms whose genetic material (DNA) has been modified in a way that does not occur naturally; that is through the introduction of a gene from a different organism.

WHO states that “currently available GM foods stem mostly from plants, but in future foods derived from GMO microorganisms or GM animals are likely to be introduced on the market. Most existing genetically modified crops have been developed to improve yield, through the introduction of resistance to plant diseases or of increased tolerance of herbicides”.

It said in the future genetic modification can aim at altering the nutrient content of food, reducing its allergenic potential, or improving the efficiency of food production systems.

All GM foods should be assessed before being allowed on the market and FAO/WHO Codex guidelines exist for risk analysis of GM food”,  WHO stated.

Also, GM or biotechnology usage according to Professor Richard Akromah, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Science and Technology, would avert hunger, malnutrition and increase agricultural productivity to feed the expected 9.2 billion population of the world in 2050.

He observed that GMO was the best solution to soil infertility, climate change, global warming and food insecurity.

With the legalization of GMO crops in Ghana, it gives much room for the importation and production of the products and its varieties into the country.

What, however, has not been considered before passing such a law in Ghana is whether the nation is prepared to face the rough edges of the positives and the associated ramifications of genetically modified crops.

The simple answer is, a big no, because Ghana does not have specialised knowledge and if it has; it has limited capacity to deal with any health hazards relating to GM because GM requires rigorous scientific process.

Some people, including farmer in Ghana are illiterate and would find it difficult if not impossible to cultivate modified crops.

Such farmers and their families are even at risk should they venture into GM cultivation.  One wonders which regulatory authority in Ghana has the capacity to test GM produce or product.

These are not the only worries as many are concern that the porous nature of Ghana’s borders would expose the country to more harm if more GM produce, which are not certified passes through the borders.

According to Wikipedia, genetically modified foods controversy is a dispute over the relative advantages and disadvantages of food derived from GMOs.

The dispute involves consumers, farmers, biotechnology companies, governmental regulators, NGOs and scientists. The key areas of controversy relates to genetically modified (GM) food.

These are risk of harm from GM food, whether GM food should be labeled, the role of government regulators, the effect of GM crops on the environment, the impact of GM crops on farmers, including farmers in developing countries, the role of GM crops in feeding the growing world population, and GM crops as part of the industrial agriculture system.

Proponents of GM think that that there is broad scientific consensus that foods on the market derived from GM crops pose no greater risk than conventional food.

They hold the view that no reports of ill effects from eating GM food have been documented in the human population. Besides, supporters of food derived from GMOs hold the view that the food is as safe as other foods and that labels send a message to consumers that GM food is somehow dangerous.

They trust that regulators and the regulatory processes are sufficiently objective and rigorous, and that risks of contamination of the non-GM food supply and of the environment can be managed.

They trust that there are sufficient laws and regulations to maintain competition in the market for seeds. Additionally, GM technology according to the proponents is key to feeding a growing world population, and view GM technology as a continuation of the manipulation of plants that humans have conducted for millennia.

Some advocacy groups such as Greenpeace and the World Wildlife Fund express concerns that risks of GM food have not been adequately identified and managed, and have questioned the objectivity of regulatory authorities.

Opponents of food derived from GMOs are concerned about the safety of the food itself and wish for GMOs to be banned or at least labeled on the food packages of foods.

They have shown concerns about the objectivity of regulators and rigor of the regulatory process, about contamination of the non-GM food supply, effects of GMOs on the environment, industrial agriculture in general, and the consolidation of control of the food supply in companies that make and sell GMOs, especially in the developing world. Some are concerned that GM technology tampers too deeply with nature.

In Ghana, many groups have risen against GM foods and Food Sovereignty Ghana, an advocacy movement, has slammed Ghanaian legislators for unanimously passing the Biosafety Act to make room for Genetically Modified foods in the country.

According to Ali Masmadi Jehu-Appiah, Chairperson of the movement, who issued a statement recently to the Ghana News Agency, despite the rivalry between the opposition New Patriotic Party and the ruling National Democratic Congress, they agreed to pass the Act, which “most Ghanaians are strongly opposed to”.

The movement called on Ghanaians to reject Genetically Modified (GM) foods in the light of the announcement by Monsanto Corporation, to withdraw applications for Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in the European Union.

It said the corporate entity took the decision because of non-acceptance on scientific grounds and rejection by civil society. The statement said this position was strengthened by the recent recommendations by the Technical Experts Committee of the Supreme Court of India.

The statement said: “It must be recalled that India was one of the countries, which embraced genetic engineering in their agriculture.  Thus they have enough experience to draw the appropriate lessons and evaluate its usefulness for their people and their environment.

“What they have to say about it should be of interest to us… in Ghana.  It is, therefore, highly significant that a scientific committee comprising some of the best brains in India is recommending an indefinite moratorium on GM crops. We take this opportunity to reiterate our call for a moratorium on GM foods in Ghana”.

It said there were amazing disease resistance breakthroughs that did not require GM technology, adding that “despite the public relations efforts of agribusinesses and the scientists… to promote GMO as key to increase food production, there is much evidence showing that GMOs have not contributed to major yield increases, nor drought resistance, and has generated super weeds and superbugs that require increased use of even more dangerous herbicides and pesticides.

The statement said the vast majority of current GMO crops are used for animal feed, not for people and that people eat the GMOs when they eat those animals.

Ghana must be mindful of the irrevocable contamination of the food chain with genetically modified organisms, which is an unconscionable horror that must not be allowed to happen to Ghana.

We must all in one accord join the Food Sovereignty Ghana and call on the Government to impose an indefinite moratorium on GM foods in Ghana until it is clear that such an irrevocable step is absolutely crucial for our survival.

Ghana should not allow individuals or groups to trade in GM foods in the country, after they were turned away by India and Europe.

Are Ghanaians fully prepared to go full scale GM production?    We should resist being used as ‘Guinea pigs’ for GMO experiment.

By Paul Achonga Kwode
Source: GNA