Ghana is almost set to commercialize Genetically Modified Organisms, GMOs or the Biotechnology BT Cowpea.
The process which started in 2012 is at the stage of seeking final approval from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, MOFA where interaction with farmers would be included in the application.
Speaking on our Current Affairs Programme, FOCUS, the Principal Investigator of the BT Cowpea at the Savannah Agricultural Research Institute, Dr Jerry Nboyine said the BT Cowpea is safe and has no effect on the human body and the environment.
He speaks further on the application process.
The Chief Executive Officer of the National Biosafety Authority, Eric Okoree said his institution has approved the GMO Cowpea after a thorough scientific investigation and adding that it is safe for human consumption. He said processed foods containing GMO are difficult to identify.
Joyce Gyekye of the Environmental Desk of GBCNews also shares her experience after consuming the BT Cowpea.
She called on Research Institutions like the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research, CSIR to dedicate funds for the establishment and management of a Radio station to educate people on their research findings as it is done in Nigeria.
Dr. Daniel Osei Ofosu of the Research Scientific Biotech and Nuclear Agric Research Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission explained that it is normal for new technologies to face challenges due to conspiracy theories held by certain groups of people.
He called for an intensified education on GMOs to ensure that it is accepted and fully applied.