Biotechnology As A Tool For Development.

The Ministry of Environment and Science has developed a national science and technology policy which among other things endorses the use of innovative and pervasive technologies including biotechnology, as tools for development.

In pursuance of evolving and managing biotechnology in a sound and environmentally safe manner, the Ministry is reconstituting a multi-disciplinary National Biosafety Committee charged with the responsibility of developing systems for an effective management of biotechnology practices in Ghana.

These were contained in a speech read on behalf of the Minister of Environment and Science, Prof. Dominic Fobih on the occasion of National Round table discussions on Biotechnology under the theme, “The Role of Biotechnology in Public Health Care” . The meeting is aimed at creating awareness among key decision makers and other stakeholders on the potential of modern biotechnology in improving productivity in agriculture, industry and health and assuring sustainable environmental practices.

Prof A. Akosa, Director of Health Services, on behalf of the Minister of Health, stated that government has recognised the critical role that biotechnology can play in its Poverty Reduction Strategy and has appropriately instituted a National Coordination Committee to oversee all aspects of the safe application of biotechnology.

Prof E. Victor Doku who chaired the function, called on the government to organise training programmes on biotechnology to increase the number of biochemists in the country in order to fulfil its purpose effectively and efficiently.