By Christabel DANSO ABEAM
Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology Ghana (OFAB GH), an institution hosted by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) whose aim is to provide better understanding on concerns associated with biotechnology, in collaboration with the International Association of Agricultural Students (IAAS) have organised an OFAB Youth Biotech seminar for students studying agriculture and related courses at the University of Ghana.
The forum’s goal is to educate students on the current status of biotech in Ghana and revitalise interest in biotech careers concerning agriculture.
According to Research Scientist-Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Dr. Daniel Osei Ofosu, most students reading agricultural courses are not specific on career paths they want to choose after school – hence the need to intervene and educate.
Dr. Osei Ofosu however highlighted that few people in Africa, especially Ghana according to research, have an interest in exploring biotech in agriculture and benefits associated with it.
“Biotech in Agriculture has been around for a while, but unfortunately research indicates that very few people in Africa have shown interest in it. This is the reason OFAB has taken it upon itself to build a critical mass of people, especially the youth, who have interest in biotech in order to benefit from it.”
Speaking on Ghana’s position to embrace biotech in agriculture, he indicated that the country from 1999 been putting things in place to safely handle biotech – adding that Ghana since 2012 has been carrying out researches on Genetic Modified Organisms (GMOs) in the country by its own scientists.
Highlighting the misconceptions surrounding use of biotech in agriculture – thus the development of GMOs, he pleaded that people should seek more knowledge concerning the topic in order to have in-depth ideas and asked that farmers who prefer to use GMOs should be allowed and not condemned.
He furthermore pledged that OFAB GH will continue to educate people on the use of biotech in agriculture in order to clear the misconception, since biotech in agriculture can contribute significantly to sustainable growth and food security.
Deputy Director-Administration, Teaching and Learning, West Africa Centre for Crop Development (WACCI), Dr. Daniel Dzidzienyo also opined that Ghana is currently not very hostile to the idea of involving biotech in our agriculture space, hence the need for youths to embrace and develop career paths in that space.
“Biotech in agriculture is gradually being accepted and has vast opportunities, particularly for students. One can become a scientist, consultant or engineer among others.”
Environmental Communicator Ama Kudom-Agyeman, in an interview, charged the media to appreciate biotech in order to educate people on the sector, its importance and opportunities it has to offer; explaining that the media have tools for disseminating information to a higher population and therefore need to intervene.
