National Biosafety Authority urged to step up its communication efforts on GMOs

Fellow at the Genetic Engineering and Society (GES) Center of the North Carolina State University, Joseph Opoku Gakpo is urging Ghana’s National Biosafety Authority (NBA) to step up its communications efforts on genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

The Authority subsequently clarified in a statement that the approval is for the GMOs to be imported for use as feed, food, and for processing, and not for local cultivation.

Gakpo questioned why the Authority did not find it necessary to inform Ghanaians about the approval early in the year, and waited until a foreign entity told the story first.

Gakpo whose research at the GES Center focuses on how communication influences the deployment of agricultural biotechnologies noted the National Biosafety Act 2011 which governs the operations of the NBA urges it to prioritise proactive communication.

“Section 4 (d) of Act 831 says one of the functions of the authority is ‘to promote public awareness, participation and education concerning the activities of the authority under this Act’” he said.

“Section 41(2) also says the Authority shall publish notices of final decisions concerning applications made under this Act in the Gazette and the electronic and print media,” he explained.

“I am not saying the Biosafety Authority is shirking its responsibility to communicate