‘It posses great risks to our environment’ — GJESHA call for halt to GM food commercialization

The Ghana Journalists for Environment, Science, Health and Agriculture (GJESHA) is calling on the government to impose an immediate moratorium on the commercial release of genetically modified (GM) crops in Ghana.

In a press statement issued on Tuesday, April 9, GJESHA General Secretary Prince Kwame Tamakloe expressed "great concern" over the recent approval of 14 GM products by the Ghana National Biosafety Authority (NBA) for commercialization without sufficient public consultation and independent scientific review.

"We firmly believe this decision poses grave risks to our environment, public health, and agricultural sustainability," the group stated.

They warned that introducing GM crops could contaminate Ghana's native plant species through cross-pollination, jeopardizing biodiversity and the livelihoods of farmers.

GJESHA also raised questions about potential health impacts, quoting "numerous studies have raised concerns about the potential allergenicity, toxicity, and unintended consequences of genetically modified crops."

"As journalists committed to upholding public welfare, we cannot ignore these legitimate concerns regarding the safety of GM products," they added.

The GJESHA secretary further argued that approving GM technology undermines national agricultural sovereignty and increases reliance on foreign corporations that sell patented GM seeds and inputs.

"Instead of investing in sustainable, locally adapted agricultural practices, this decision prioritizes the interests of biotech companies over the well-being of Ghanaian farmers and consumers," they stated.

GJESHA is calling on the government to impose an immediate moratorium and for fellow journalists and civil society to advocate for "evidence-based policies that safeguard our environment, health, and agricultural sovereignty."