There’s no GMO seed on the market - Seed traders

Seed traders are allaying fears of presence of Genetically Modified Organism planting materials are already on the local market.

“There are no GMO seeds on the market we need to make clear distinction between GMO seeds and products”, explains Thomas Wilfred Havor, National Coordinator for National Seed Trade Association of Ghana.

There has been persistent public outcry at the mention of GMOs, with some suggesting such seeds are being sold to farmers.

The National Seed Trade Association of Ghana is empathic there are no GMO seeds in Ghana though some imported products could contain them.

According to Mr Havor, “the products we see in the shops come from GMO products that has been chemically tested and approved by those countries before we see them on the market like soya source for example”.

Seed companies that produce certified seeds for the farmers in this country have been engaged in a workshop to sensitize them about the issues of GM technologies in Ghana and to see how best to work together to bring enough information to farmers and general public.

Mr. Havor explains Ghana is ready for GMO’s but not until the necessary arrangements with relevant agencies which is currently underway.

Meanwhile, there are widespread health concerns about introduction of GMOs.

Director Biotechnology and Stewardship for Sustainable Agriculture in West Africa, Professor Walter Alhassan says GMOs have no serious adverse environmental or human risks if they used per instructions.

According to him, “we have experienced over 20 years of commercial use of gm products in agriculture and there haven’t been any case where we have found out that GM products have been detrimental if anything the effects have been very positive”.

Farmers in recent times have been advised to use less agro-input like sprays, chemicals to spray their crops in order to ensure less residues are accumulated.

It sought to address communication gap in discussions on GMOs in Ghana and on availability of bio-technology products for safe and healthy seed multiplication.