Agri National

Agric Consultant Pleads With Government to Disregard GMO Calls

An Agricultural Consultant, Mr. Shakespeare Dzokoto has placed a passionate call on Ghanaian authorities to disregard calls on government to introduce Genetically Modified Foods (GMOs) into the country. According to Mr. Dzokoto, the country should not be deceived by considerations of monetary gains into accepting the policy, arguing that the country rather stick to its local seeds.

Mr. Dzokoto made who made these assertions in an interview with Rite news warned of severe consequences in the consumption of GMOs.  According to him, existing reports indicate that the effects of GMO seeds are not immediately seen and felt until about 20 years later by which time its effects may be too late to avoid.

He emphasized that “farmers ought to plant our local seeds and apply the necessary fertilizers well to generate better yield instead of the GMO seeds.” The Agric Consultant who strongly registered his protest against the GMOs also expressed worry at the prospects of the adverse effects of the GMOs on the environment aside its known effects on humans.

Madam Hilda Huadii

Meanwhile, Madam Hilda Huadzi, Director for Women in Agricultural Development (WIAD) also tasked government to be circumspect in its deliberations on the matter before deciding on whether or not to introduce the seeds into the country. According to her, the nature of her work for instance compels her to implement government policies as part of her responsibilities, implying that her outfit would have no choice but to implement the GMO policy if government introduces the seeds.

“I am a policy implementer and so if the government decides to bring in the GMOs, then I have no choice than to implement it as an extension officer,” she emphasized.

controversy

Controversy around Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) has been widespread in Ghana since 2013 after the government announced an introduction of GMO technology into the country that same year. Activist groups including Food Sovereignty Ghana, The Coalition For Farmers Rights And Advocacy Against GMOs, Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Convention People’s Party and people have spoken against its introduction.

The disputes concern whether organisms procured from genetic engineering should be allowed into the market. Activists consider genetically manipulated food as a health hazard, “neo-colonialist” and a threat to economic and food sovereignty and national security.

Source: Prince Paul Amuzu/ritefmonline.org/princeamuzu667@gmail.com

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