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A new law that will help regulate the introduction of genetically modified foods in Ghana has been submitted to Parliament for approval.
The 2019 Biosafety (Biotechnology Management) Regulations, a legislative instrument, are pending approval after being referred to the Subsidiary Legislation Committee for consideration.
Unlike bills, legislative instruments can not be changed when presented to the House. One expects it to mature automatically after 21 consecutive sitting days.
In a "secret" memorandum accompanying parliament, the Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Kwabena Frimpong Boateng, asked the 275 deputies of Approve the Biosafety Regulation to implement the 2011 Biosafety Act (Law 831).
"The law aims to regulate biotechnology to ensure an adequate level of safety for human health and the environment in the development, transfer, handling and use of GMOs and also establish a transparent and predictable process. for the review and decision making regarding GMOs in Ghana, "he said.
The biosafety regulation tabled in the House makes operational the parent law, the National Biosafety Act of 2011 that was approved by Parliament 8 years ago to allow the introduction of GMOs into Ghana's food chain. The document provides, among other things, how the National Biosafety Authority (ANB) established under the law of belonging will ensure the safety of genetically modified foods.
It also establishes specific committees that will help the authority to regulate genetically modified foods, application processes, how to obtain GMO import and export authorizations, methods of control and enforcement. , and public education.
Scientists from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) have indicated that they will soon be seeking the necessary regulatory approval to introduce GMO cowpea into the market.
Related: CSIR scientists complete tests on a genetically modified cowpea variety
In his brief to Parliament, Professor Frimpong Boateng said that the new law had been developed in consultation with ministers of health and agriculture, as well as other local and international agencies. He commended GMOs for having a key role if Ghana can achieve food security.
"With the ever-growing world population that has dietary needs and who estimates that a child is starving every two seconds in the world, the use of this technology promises to benefit not only farmers, but also to Ghanaian society, "he said.
The Minister of Science and Technology noted that "soil salinity has become a major problem in agriculture in Ghana, hence the need to research the possibility of using genes from 39, salt-tolerant plant species in our agricultural crops ".
He added that biotechnology (GMO) is also actively used in the micropropagation of forests, horticultural and medicinal plants; for the improvement or development of high-yielding pests and drought-resistant food crops, as well as biofertilizers, as well as for the formulation of new drugs.
"Modern biotechnology can create a variety of plants that are more resistant to herbicides for effective weed control and / or resistance to pests and other diseases," he added.
"Biotechnology also creates foods with improved texture, flavor, and nutritional value, as well as longer-lived foods for navigation. Finally, genetic modification can create an essential sustainable way to feed Ghana, "said Professor Frimpong Boateng.
He said that GMOs can help protect the environment and reduce the use of pesticides and fertilizers. "And technology is creating higher-yielding foods, thus ensuring more efficient use of land resources, less use of herbicides and other pesticides, and reduced use of machinery on farmland, thus protecting the environment." Environment, "he said.
The Minister recognizes that unauthorized development, transfer, handling and use of GMOs can have adverse effects on the environment.
However, he indicates that the regulation will seek to empower the National Biosafety Authority (NBA) that the Minister describes as a "competent authority" and other agencies required to ensure that "adequate risk badessments for 39 environment and health are carried out before authorization and take measures that might be considered appropriate ". necessary to protect human health and the environment. "
"This will prevent organisms that may be harmful to human health and the country's economy from being imported or developed for use in the country. Regulatory risk and badessment regimes will adequately respond to this, "he noted.
"The new regulation will empower the technical advisory committee established under the law to review and, where appropriate, request additional information to establish the safety of GMOs for human health. It will also help the NBA's board of directors make informed decisions to protect the health of Ghanaians, "he said.
Professor Frimpong Boateng explained that GMOs have a positive impact on agricultural productivity in terms of yields and that this could greatly contribute to meeting the country's food needs.
He added that the regulations would provide the country with the necessary framework to ensure that these positive potentials are safely exploited in a manner that protects the environment and human health.
In developing the new regulations, the Minister has considered the role of conventional and organic agriculture in Ghana's food security systems, which requires significant investment, intensive use of pesticides, fertilizers, efficient labor force.
"The above technologies (conventional and organic agriculture) are practiced in Ghana over the years but have not been able to provide the necessary food and sanitary security because of the disadvantages badociated with them", a- he observed.
"These types of agriculture could lead to a decline in soil productivity due to wind and water erosion, among others … Conventional agriculture is the largest non-point source of pollutants in the world. 39 … water … organic farming requires more work, food being more expensive "added.
Professor Kwabena Frimpong Boateng said that GMOs can "remedy these disadvantages and become an effective complementary technology".
"These regulations will help the country put in place measures to make the most of biotechnology – a technology that would have a significant impact on the national development agenda, particularly in the areas of agriculture and agriculture. health, while ensuring that any negative impacts addressed … "he noted in the memo.
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