Allow Biotechnological Science to grow - Researcher

Dr Daniel Osei Ofosu of the Biotechnology and Nuclear Agriculture Research Institute, has appealed to Ghanaians to allow biotechnological science and research on genetic modified products, to grow to serve the needs of the country.

He explained that the researchers working on biotechnological science and their families also depended on whatever they came out with, just like any other citizen.

Dr Ofosu said when he and the family visited the restaurant, or went to the market, they were served just like any other citizen of the country.

He said, as researchers working on biosafety products, they love their country and the people in Ghana and the world, and would not do anything or promote anything that would hurt any citizen.

He was reacting to issues raised at a Biosafety workshop organized by Croplife, Ghana, an Association of Agricultural Chemical Companies in the country in Koforidua.

He pointed out that there was no technology without some form of risk, and that was the reason why researchers continued to work on every technology to ensure that the risks associated with the technology were eliminated.

Dr Ofosu said genetic modification had been with the human race for many years, and that was demonstrated in the traditional selection of seeds and animals for breeding.

He said 50 years ago, due to similar criticism, Africa did not adopt the green revolution, and it passed African by, and the things that Africa refused at that time were now being adopted.

He pleaded with Ghanaians and Africans not to allow the biotechnological science to pass Africa this time round.

Dr Michael Adu of the Crop Science Department of University of Cape Coast said Genetic Modification of crops and animals started over 10,000 years ago.

He said with soil deficiency and increasing population, one of the main means of increasing agricultural productivity to attain food security was through Genetic Modified Organism (GMO).

He said, research has proved that Africa would have to increase its agricultural productivity by 400 percent, to meet the food needs of the people by 2045.

Dr Adu called for the use of Genetic Science to help reduce post-harvest loses, which he blamed for food shortages in Ghana.

Mr Mackown Frimpong of the Seed Producers Association of Ghana(SEEDPAG), called for systematic introduction of GMO products, and to ensure that, in all cases, the interests of Ghanaian farmers, and the safety of the citizenry were protected.

He called for the introduction of safety control, and the establishment of laboratories to ensure the safety of GM foods.

Mr B. T. Amartey, President of the Ghana Agro-Chemical Input Dealers, said at the end of it all, the safety of Ghanaians would be protected.

Earlier in a welcoming address, the President of Croplife Ghana, Mr William Kotey, said the main aim of Croplife was to provide the platform for frank discussions of Biosafety products in the country, and urged the participants to take keen interest in the programme .