Genetically modified food controversies in Ghana

Location of Ghana

The controversy around genetically modified organisms (GMO) has been widespread in Ghana since the Ghanaian government introduced GMO technology in 2013.[1] Activist groups including Food Sovereignty Ghana, The Coalition For Farmer’s Rights, Advocacy Against GMOs, Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Convention People’s Party, and various individuals have argued against its introduction.[1][2][3] The dispute focuses on whether organisms procured from genetic engineering should be allowed onto the market. Activists consider genetically modified food as a health hazard, neo-colonialist (in that it hands power to developed nations), a threat to economic and food sovereignty and also to national security.[4] For these activists, the multinational corporations (MNCs) that genetically engineer these seeds do so both to assert control over the agricultural domain in developing countries and to return profits to the developed nations.[5]

Ghana's Biosafety Act 831, 2011 has already permitted the introduction of genetically modified (GM) foods.[6] By 2014, “confined field trials” of GM rice and cowpea in the Ashanti region and cotton in the 3 northern regions of the country were underway. [7] In 2015, a temporary injunction on any further GMO commercialization and development was put in place until the conclusion of the case brought by Food Sovereignty Ghana against the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. [8]

History of GMOs in Ghana

The National Seed Trade Association of Ghana (NASTAG) publicly advocates for the inclusion of GM seeds in Ghana to aid agricultural development and to mitigate the effects of climate change.[9] NASTAG states that the use of GM seeds in this West Africa country will reduce the number of pesticides and time it takes for farmers to spray.[9] In 2011, the Biosafety Act passed in Ghana, permitting the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to conduct trials of specific GMOs.[9] It is estimated that genetically modified cowpea, a GMO the CSIR has been experimenting with, will be on the market in Ghana in 2019.[9]

In late 2017, the minister of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, advocated for the people of Ghana to be educated on GM seeds and GMO products.[10] Frimpong-Boateng believed that if the public knew more about GMO products they would be more likely to accept and understand the importance of GMOs in assisting Ghana's economy and development.[10]

In concurrence with the Frimpong-Boateng campaign for public education on GMO inclusion, Food Sovereignty Ghana filled suit against the National Biosafety Authority Board for its plans to proceed with the introduction of GM products on the local market.[11]

Plant Breeders Right Bill controversy

The Ghanaian Parliament is currently considering a bill that would protect the rights of scientists and corporations in relation to the creation of seeds or crops developed for Ghana. If passed, this bill could make Ghana dependent on certified seeds invented by MNCs and other GM seed producers, thus surrendering Ghana's food sovereignty to individuals and organizations. Activists believe this could hinder local farmers and cause local economic problems.[3][12]

Pro Plant Breeders Right Bill opinions have indicated that GMOs and the bill are unrelated. Dr. Margaret Ottah Atikpo, head of the microbiology division of the Food Research Institute stated, "[The Bill] protects the breeders and brings royalty to the breeder and the country." [7]

Relationship between genetically modified seeds and farmers

While praised for their resistance to pests,[13] GM seeds also present challenges. Conventional seeds are able to be used from one season to the next. [14] However, GM seeds have "Terminator Technology,"[14] a genetic composition that makes it impossible for seeds from one season to be replanted in the next;[15] this results in farmers having to purchase additional seeds.

Food sovereignty

Food sovereignty refers to the inherent right of all countries and their people to have control over food production, and also recognizes the political and economic aspects of the agriculture industry.[16] The importance of food sovereignty for a country began to be acknowledged after numerous citizens in developing countries faced the World Food Price Crisis in 2007 and 2008.[16] One of the most significant arguments among activists against the incorporation of GMO products is the impact they have on the food sovereignty of local communities through the monopolization of seeds and the domination of their agriculture industry.[17] The control over the agricultural seed industry by MNCs contains risks for Ghana's food sovereignty by potentially increasing the income disparity between the farmers in Ghana, and the MNCs profiting from use of their GM seeds.[18]

References

  1. 1 2 "Food Sovereignty Ghana demonstrates against GM products". Peace FM Online. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  2. ↑ "Thousands in Ghana Protest GMOs". Revolution News. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  3. 1 2 "Catholic Bishops Join 'War'". Peace FM Online. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  4. ↑ "GMOs Are "Neo-Colonialist", Security Threat To Ghana - Group". Peace FM Online. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  5. ↑ Adi, Bongo (2006). The Journal of World Intellectual Property. pp. 92–112.
  6. ↑ "Ghana's law on GM foods finally gets Presidential Assent". ghanabusinessnews.com. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  7. 1 2 "Controversy Over Genetically Modified Food Rages". Peace FM Online. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
  8. ↑ "Court Orders Temporary Halt On GM Commercialization". Food Sovereignty Ghana. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
  9. 1 2 3 4 "GMO technology can turn around Ghana's fortunes – Seed Producers". 2017-09-04. Retrieved 2017-12-22.
  10. 1 2 "Ghanaians require proper education on GMOs – Minister - Ghana News". Ghana News. 2017-09-26. Retrieved 2017-12-22.
  11. ↑ "Food Sovereignty Ghana sues gov't again over GMOs". 2017-11-27. Retrieved 2017-12-22.
  12. ↑ "Consult more on Plant Breeders Bill". Vibe Ghana. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  13. ↑ Kruft, Davis. "Impacts of Genetically-Modified Crops and Seeds on Farmers" (PDF).
  14. 1 2 Ohlgart, Samantha. "The Terminator Gene: Intellectual Property Rights vs. the Farmers' Common Law Right to Save Seed Note". heinonline.org.
  15. ↑ Steinbrecher, Ricarda A. "Terminator Technology: the threat to world food security".
  16. 1 2 Wittman, Hannah. "The Origins & Potential of Food Security" (PDF).
  17. ↑ Herring, Ronald. "Epistemic Brokerage in the Bio-Property Narrative: Contributions to Explaining Opposition to Transgenic Technologies in Agriculture". New Biology. 27: 614–622.
  18. ↑ Adi, Bongo (2006). The Journal of World Intellectual Property. pp. 92–112.
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