Research scientists are calling for the commercialisation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) as it could add up to $31 million to Ghana’s economy.

So far, two crops have been developed using biotechnology. They are nitrogen- and water-use-efficient rice and the genetically modified cowpea.

However, neither of these crops are commercialised yet, though they have gone through various stages of evaluation and field trials.

Research Scientists believe it is appropriate that the nation facilitates the processes for the acceptance of GM-related technology to enhance food security.

Agricultural Information Officer at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Dr. Seth Manteaw said “there’s the need to create a lot of awareness of how we can use biotechnology to promote agriculture in the light of growing populations, in the face of climate change, emergence of pest and diseases. There’s the need for us to use more sustainable means of addressing these challenges”. 

Only four out of 47 countries in Africa have so far made it legal to plant any GMO crops. They are South Africa, Burkina Faso, Sudan and Nigeria.

However, a Ghanaian delegation recently visited Nigeria to compare notes as Nigeria has now commercialised PBR Cowpea.

“Africa requires science and technology to drive its economy. The drivers of modern change are science and technology. If we think it is culture and religion will drive the economy, people may not even go to heaven. Risk assessment done on this cowpea followed the best one of the best international risk assessment procedures,” Director General of Nigeria’s National Biosafety Management Agency, Dr. Rufus Ebegba revealed.

So, the question is what is the wait for to commercialise GMO crops, as many countries are now thinking about being food sufficient?