The Ghana National Biosafety Authority (NBA) sanctioned the commercialization of eight maize and six soybean varieties in the country under the Plant Varieties Protection Act of 2020. 

While it recognizes the potential of biotechnology to address certain agricultural challenges, CCCFS believes the decision poses significant health and environmental risks with broader socio-economic implications.

This follows calls by the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana for the government to rescind its decision, insisting that the GMOs are a threat to the country’s agriculture.

In a statement signed by the Director of Research at the centre, Sulemana Issifu, highlighted some detrimental impacts of the GM products:

1.      Environmental Risks: The widespread cultivation of GM crops has the potential to disrupt delicate ecosystems, harm biodiversity, and undermine the long-term sustainability of agricultural landscapes.

2.      Human Health Concerns: Despite assurances of safety, questions persist about the potential health effects of consuming GM foods. The long-term health impacts of GM products remain inadequately studied and poorly understood.

3.      Socio-economic Implications: The commercialization of GM products may exacerbate inequalities within the agricultural sector, favoring large corporations over small-scale farmers and threatening food sovereignty and security.

4.      Transparency and Accountability: The lack of transparent risk assessment processes and independent research raises serious doubts about the adequacy of regulatory oversight and the reliability of safety assurances.

5.      Undermining Ghana’s Food Sovereignty: GM adoption will undermine Ghana’s food sovereignty, and put the future of our food production in the hands of profit-seeking corporate cartels.

The centre says the approval by the NBA needs careful consideration and public discourse.

“Why would a country embark on such a risky venture? CCCFS calls for greater caution and prudence in the adoption of GM technology. We urge the Ghanaian government and regulatory authorities to prioritize the precautionary principle and exercise due diligence in evaluating the risks and benefits associated with GM products,” portions of the statement sighted by Luv News read.

It concluded that: “we also call for enhanced public engagement and inclusive decision-making processes that ensure the voices of all stakeholders, including small-scale farmers, environmental advocates, and consumer rights groups, are heard and respected”.

Dr. Nti Kani argues that this seeming hypocrisy underscores a greater threat posed by the importation of polluted fuels, leading him to express concern over Ghana’s carbon emission strategy.

In his view, the government could better align its policies with global fuel quality standards and maximize revenue from existing carbon reduction initiatives rather than imposing taxes on imports.

“Prioritizing the adoption of clean and low-sulphur fuel with less than 30 ppm aligns with sustainable development goals and offers several compelling advantages,” says Dr. Nti Kani. He emphasizes that investing in cleaner fuels directly addresses environmental concerns, contributing to reduced emissions of sulphur dioxide, a major air pollutant detrimental to respiratory health and the environment.

Moreover, embracing cleaner fuels aligns with global efforts to combat climate change by significantly reducing the carbon footprint. Dr. Nti Kani believes this not only demonstrates environmental responsibility on the global stage but also supports international climate change mitigation efforts.

From an economic perspective, Dr. Nti Kani advocates for investing in cleaner fuels as a potential stimulant for the growth of a cleaner energy sector. This encouragement of sustainable technologies can foster job creation within sustainable industries, contrasting with the potential burdensome impact of taxing emissions on businesses and consumers.

Dr. Nti Kani states, “Focusing on clean and low-sulphur fuel, rather than taxing emissions, is a strategic and holistic approach addressing environmental, economic, and social considerations. Embracing cleaner fuels can guide Ghana towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future, positively impacting public health, the economy, and global standing while capitalizing on gains from World Bank agreements.”

Regarding the taxation of vehicle usage, Dr. Nti Kani critiques the current strategy as misguided, especially given Ghana’s participation in global initiatives aimed at reducing carbon emissions. Despite receiving significant payments for carbon reduction efforts, transparency regarding fund utilization is lacking, raising concerns about the government’s apparent neglect of prioritizing net emissions reduction over imposing taxes on vehicles.

Dr. Nti Kani highlights Ghana’s lenient stance on fuel quality, permitting diesel imports with over 3000 parts per million (ppm) of sulphur. This contrasts sharply with global transitions to Ultra-low-sulphur diesel (ULSD), posing environmental and health risks.

Drawing a parallel with the United Kingdom, where emissions from cars are transparently taxed based on a vehicle’s CO2 emissions, Dr. Nti Kani questions Ghana’s implementation of a similar law.

He seeks clarity on whether the flat rate imposed reflects a well-considered strategy to reduce the country’s carbon footprint or merely serves as a revenue-generating mechanism for the government. Furthermore, he advocates for clarification on whether other modes of transport, such as sea and air, are subject to emission taxes and how these taxes are utilized.

Dr. Nti Kani’s calls for a reevaluation of Ghana’s environmental policies, urging a shift towards cleaner fuels and a more transparent and holistic approach to addressing carbon emissions.

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