The Convention People’s Party (CPP) will today [Saturday] lead a public march against Monsanto in Accra.
The party is collaborating with Food Sovereignty Ghana and the Kanyan Akuafuo Kuo Society to organize the public march which forms part of a worldwide event comprising millions of marchers.
The public march is scheduled to take place in two locations in Ghana; Accra and Goaso in the Brong Ahafo Region.
Currently, over 300 marches have been scheduled to take place around the world.
According to the CPP, following the ban on drumming and noise making imposed by the Ga Traditional Council, it has decided to organize a silent march in Accra and a more “animated one in Goaso.”
In Accra, the exercise will begin at 9am and participants will begin walking from TV3 through the Ring Road, Kokomlemle to Mallam Atta Market and finally converge on the Nima Market.
In Goaso, participants will begin the march from the premises of Nananom FM and will walk through Goaso Municipal Street to Kukuomu Mmem T-Junction then to the Goaso Market.
The CPP has been advocating against the introduction of genetically modified organism (GMOs) into Ghana.
According to them, research has shown that Monsanto’s (an American agricultural company) genetically-modified foods can lead to serious health conditions such as the development of cancer tumours, infertility and birth defects.
They allege that for years, Monsanto has been the benefactor of corporate subsidies and political favouritism.
They indicated that organic and small scale farmers suffer losses while Monsanto continues to forge its monopoly over the world’s food supply, including exclusive patenting rights over seeds and genetic makeup.
“Monsanto’s GMO seeds are harmful to the environment” and the party and all food advocacy movements are determined to end their operations.
The CPP and Food Soverignty Ghana are therefore demanding the boycotting of Monsanto-owned companies that use GMOs in their products.
They also want the labelling of GMOs so that consumers can make those informed decisions easier.
They are rejecting the UPOV-compliant Plant Breeders’ Bill and are calling for further scientific research on the health effects of GMOs.
“Taking to the streets to show the world and Monsanto that we won’t take these injustices quietly. We will not stand for cronyism. We will not stand for poison. That’s why we March Against Monsanto,” they said.
Source: citifmonline
