By Emmanuel AKOMEA
A retired research scientist from the Biotech and Nuclear Agriculture Research Institute, an institution under the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Prof. Kenneth Danso, has called on government to increase its support for scientific research and development, particularly in the field of biotechnology, to help the country’s agricultural sector adapt to the growing challenges posed by climate change.
Speaking at the Open Forum for Agricultural Biotechnology Media Awards held in Accra, Mr. Danso emphasised the critical role that technology and innovation can play in shaping the future of the domestic agricultural industry.
“Without technology, we will be far behind time; and looking at the climate change events that are taking place, it means that there should be a smart way of developing plants to overcome this challenge,” he said.
Highlighting the visible impacts of climate change, such as high temperatures and unpredictable weather patterns, he argued that plants are more vulnerable to these changes than others like animals and humans, and therefore require targeted interventions to adopt.
Against this backdrop, Prof. Danso called on the government to provide support for research institutions like the Biotech and Nuclear Agriculture Research Institute to develop innovative solutions to enhance the resilience of crop varieties.
“The government should support science and technology, especially in the research institutions, and also support the media to disseminate this information to farmers,” he urged.
Recognising the crucial role of the media in bridging the gap between scientists, farmers and policy-makers, Prof. Danso commended the significant improvements in the OFAB Media Awards, which has been championing the application of biotechnology in agriculture.
“The stories that the contestants are putting up have improved, both scientifically and the way they narrate their story; and they have also made it very relevant to the Ghanaian public,” he said.
The OFAB Media Awards (OMA) recognises and honours media professionals who report on agricultural biotechnology with balance, accuracy and depth. The award scheme celebrates journalists who go above and beyond in their efforts to promote the understanding of agricultural biotechnology.
OFAB Ghana is an initiative of the African Agriculture Technology Foundation (AATF) and a chapter of OFAB Africa. Established on August 18, 2011 under the auspices of CSIR, OFAB Ghana addresses the need for a clearer understanding of the benefits and concerns surrounding agricultural biotechnology.
The General Secretary of the Ghana Journalist Association, Kofi Yeboah, while commending OFAB, urged them to increase the training for journalists on biotechnology to aid in accurate reporting.
Mr. Yeboah believes the awards can motivate media practitioners not just to do more, but to do it excellently to drive greater public acceptance and policy support for GMO technologies.
The winners of the 7th edition of the awards received a cheque of GH₵3000 each as well as a Samsung tablet, and hampers, among others. They will also be competing at the African level with other African countries in the coming weeks.
