The National Biosafety Authority (NBA) has clarified that it has not authorized the cultivation of seeds for 14 genetically modified (GM) products in the country. Instead, the authority has only registered these 14 GM products for importation purposes.
In a statement signed by Mr. Eric Amaning Okoree, CEO of NBA, and shared with the Ghana News Agency, it was explained that any entity seeking to import GM products into Ghana must obtain an import permit from the NBA. The 14 approved GM products are designated for food, feed, or processing purposes and are not intended for cultivation.
The statement emphasized that these GM products have not yet been imported into the country for food, feed, or processing. The NBA assured the public of the safety of GM products that have received its approval, including the Bt Cowpea submitted by SARI and the 14 events submitted by Bayer West-Central Africa S.A and Syngenta South Africa.
The approved products, comprising eight maize and six soybean events, are grains meant for direct use as food, feed, or processing materials. The approval process was conducted in accordance with the Biosafety Act, 2011 (Act 831), and international best practices.
Following the evaluation of data and information provided by the applicants, as well as thorough risk assessments by the NBA Technical Advisory Committee, the authority granted approval under the Biosafety Act and relevant regulations.
The statement reiterated the NBA’s commitment to ensuring food security and crop improvement through emerging plant breeding technologies. It emphasized that the benefits of improved yield and sustained food security would accrue to farmers and affirmed the existence of a robust biosafety system to guarantee the safety of GMOs officially released in Ghana.
The NBA expressed concern over calls to reject GM seeds, noting the importance of adapting to new agricultural technologies for agricultural development and food security.
