Halt commercialisation of GMOs – ActionAid tells government

ActionAid Ghana has waded into the reignited debates on the commercialization of Genetically Modified Foods, calling on the government to, as a matter of urgency, halt any plans to commercialize GMOs until thorough research is conducted on their effects on human life as well as broad stakeholder consultation.

In a press statement issued on April 24, 2024, ActionAid Ghana said, “As a leading social justice organisation with a focus on advocating for sustainable farming practices that safeguard the interests and livelihoods of smallholder farmers across the nation, we are concerned about the ramifications of the government’s approval for the commercialisation of 14 genetically modified organism (GMO) foods in Ghana. We believe that the recent decision to lift restrictions on GMOs poses significant risks to food security, biodiversity, and the well-being of vulnerable communities. We acknowledge the importance of agroecology—a farming approach rooted in ecological processes—to agricultural development and employment in Ghana.

"Allocate funds to the Ministry of Agriculture to ensure adequate support for agroecological practices, training, and knowledge-sharing among smallholder farmers.

"Recognize the critical role women smallholder farmers play in food production and create an enabling environment for their participation and leadership."

“With the current economic challenges widening the poverty gap, AAG is calling on the government to prioritise agroecology as a sustainable farming approach and cease the commercialisation of GMOs in food production. Agroecology can guarantee meeting local food security needs, reduce deforestation, limit land grabs, support livelihoods, and thus contribute to Ghana’s economic growth,” parts of the statement read.

They are thus calling on the government to prioritise the precautionary principle and halt the commercialisation of GMOs until thorough research on the effects on human life and public consultations are conducted.