A West Africa Ministerial meeting on biotechnology takes place in Accra, Ghana from March 27 – 30, 2007.

The ministers from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are expected to discuss and adopt the sub-region’s action plan on biotechnology developed by the ECOWAS Commission two years ago in Bamako, Mali.

Those expected at the third meeting are agricultural ministers and experts in the biotechnology sector. They would assist the media understand issues of biotechnology and bio-safety to enhance their reports in that field.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is supporting it. The Journalists Association of West Africa (RECOAB) and the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) are among groups organising the meeting.

Ghana has developed a comprehensive bio-safety bill, which is expected to regulate biotechnology and bio-safety matters and other related issues.

However, the bill is currently before Cabinet and awaiting approval. Stakeholders in the food-safety industry have expressed worry over the delay.

When passed, the bill is to ensure an adequate level of production in the field, handling and use of living, modified organisms resulting from modern biotechnology.

Source: Business Week