Ghana’s National Biosafety Authority (NBA) … issued guidelines for the release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) [in December], a landmark step forward for modern biotechnology in the country.
“With these guidelines issued, Ghana can become a model in Africa,” said Eric Okoree, chief executive officer of the NBA. “We are telling the world, and Ghanaians, that we have opened the door and we are making ourselves open and ready to receive and consider applications for GMO use.”
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The document is the result of over six months of extensive consultation with partner institutions and technical experts in biosafety and biotechnology. …The guidelines seek to eliminate the uncertainties around GMO use by providing a clearer process for application, review, and approval/rejection by the NBA. …
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To date, no GM crops have been approved or registered for cultivation, import, or marketing in Ghana. Field tests are ongoing for some transgenic crops, such as Nitrogen-Use Efficient, Water-Use Efficient and Salt-Tolerant (NEWEST) rice and Bt cowpea. The guidelines could provide a basis for finally releasing them to the public.
The GLP aggregated and excerpted this blog/article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion and analysis. Read full, original post: Ghana’s bold bet on biosafety
