The debate on genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) has gone into top gear with the organisation of a day’s workshop on the risk and benefits of genetically-engineered crops for media practitioners.
The organisers of the workshop brought together more than 40 journalists to empower them with all the information on GMOs.
The Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) and the Centre for Indigenous Knowledge and Organisational Development (CIKOD) put together the programme to enrich the knowledge of journalists on the issues so that they can better champion the debate on GM foods.
The public conversation on GM foods has always been very divergent with some scientists championing the cause while civil society organisations have cautioned the advocates on the health and environmental risks.
The scientists say that although they acknowledge that the caution is worth considering, the challenges of food production require a mix between the need for the application of technology and traditional knowledge.
At present, the Daily Graphic has no stand on this matter except to say that there is the need for further interrogation of the pros and cons of the GMOs since food plays a very crucial role in the life of the people.
It is also argued that an estimated one-third of the world’s population in the developing world currently faces food and nutrition insecurity and, therefore, those who are making a case for GM foods say there is the need to meet current food demands and those of the future in view of mounting population pressures.
People expect better quality of life and for that reason, some advocate mass food production so that governments can put food on the table of their people instead of the developing countries carrying their bowls around the globe, looking for food handouts.
It is also believed that the perception that quantities of arable land is under threat is a fallacy because in many development countries, there are many uncultivated tracts of land. Most people do not have access to land due to the poor land tenure system. If governments in those countries commit themselves to building land banks. their people, especially the youth, would have access to land to increase food production.
While the debate is going on in the homes, offices and the media, some people are worried that Parliament is likely to pass the Plant Breeders Bill into law when Parliament resumes on January 28, this year.
Already, some groups, including the Marshallan Relief and Developing Services, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), and the media practitioners who attended the workshop on GMOs have appealed to Parliament not to rush and pass the Seed Breeders Bill that is before it.
We live in a society where we have all agreed that power will no longer be concentrated in the hands of a few and that we should all believe in the dictum that “what affects all should be decided by all”.
It is for this reason that the Daily Graphic thinks all Ghanaians must subject the bill and issues concerning GMOs to further interrogation so that Ghanaians would make the best choice.
The challenges of food production can simply not be limited to how to increase production through the application of technologically advanced methods but our governments in the developing world should look at the poor infrastructure in farming communities, the marketing challenges, access to credit and storage facilities as a more pragmatic way of dealing with the desire to feed everybody.
We urge our leaders who are privileged to take decisions on our behalf, including MPs, to be mindful of the fact that in the discourse on GMOs, the national interest should be our ultimate goal.
