Reject all discussions on GMO foods - Samia
Ghanaians have been called upon to reject all discussions on genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
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The Chairperson of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Ms Samia Nkrumah, said until today, no guarantee had been made available on the safety of the products and as such should not be accepted by Ghanaians.
She was speaking at the commemoration of the International Day of Peasant Farmers held on the theme; “International Day of Farmers’ Struggles in Defence of Peasants’ and Farmer’s Seeds” at the Kaneshie Market in Accra.
The event, which marks the repression of a group of landless farmers in Brazil who struggled for their right to own lands, is now celebrated worldwide not only to fight for the right of peasant and smallholder farmers but to celebrate and recognise their role and contribution to food security in their respective countries.
Scrutiny of bill
Members of the Coalition for Farmer’s Right and Advocacy Against GMOs, the Food Sovereignty Ghana, Peasant Farmers Association and market women participated in the celebration during which they were educated on GMOs.
Ms Nkrumah indicated that after careful scrutiny of the bill, the Coalition for Farmer’s Right and Advocacy Against GMOs had come to the conclusion that the bill would have far-reaching negative socio-economic and health implications on Ghanaians and as such must be rejected.
She said farmers in the country could achieve more in the agricultural sector with the necessary support, rather than relying on GMOs.
She explained that GMO was not the solution to the problems facing peasant farmers. However, what was needed was the country’s support to improve the lives of farmers.
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Ms Nkrumah said although farmers had contributed significantly to the development of the country, their contribution had not been recognised as deserved.
“As long as we are not focused on improving the conditions of farmers, we are not celebrating them; we are only paying lip service to them. We need to focus on improving their lives; particularly, as many of them are smallholder farmers”.
Significance of the day
Ms Nkrumah indicated that the celebration was very important to the country, especially, at a time the country was under the threat of globalisation.
She called on Ghanaians to educate themselves on issues that would benefit the country at large.