Ghanaian Lady Warns Government Against Relaxing Policies to Allow GMO Implementation in Agriculture
- A young Ghanaian lady expressed her concerns about the government’s approval of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in agriculture
- The woman raised health concerns, including potential kidney issues and hypertension, and questioned the environmental impact of GMOs
- Ghanaians reacted, with some supporting her stance on GMOs, while others argued the benefits and quick yields they offer farmers
A young Ghanaian lady has discussed her concerns about the introduction of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) into Ghana's agricultural sector.
Source: TikTok
In a video shared on TikTok, the woman, identified as Kabhan, shared her reservations expressing serious concerns over what this means for Ghanaians' health.
Her comments were made in the backdrop of the different arguments which have since emerged after 14 new Genetically Modified products were approved for commercialisation in Ghana in April 2024 as reported by the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD).
This was made possible after the Ghanaian Parliament in 2011, passed the Biosafety Act to allow for the application of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) technology in the country's agriculture.
The relevant government agency, the National Biosafety Authority (NBA) at the time, approved Ghana's first genetically modified crop, the Bt cowpea. The organisation claimed that the crop does not represent a food or feed safety concern. It also proclaimed that the crop does not pose any environmental risk.
However, Kabhan does not agree with the safety claims.
Ghanaian lady warns government on GMO dangers
The Ghanaian woman took to her TikTok page and listed some of her concerns about the government potentially relaxing policies to allow GMOs in the market.
Source: TikTok
She mentioned that GMOs do not go through the normal growth process and cited the health implications, such as potential kidney issues and hypertension.
According to her, the chemicals used in GMO crops can destroy living organisms in the soil, making it difficult for farmers to plant other crops, such as legumes.
Watch the video below.
Ghanaians react to lady’s stance on GMOs
YEN.com.gh has collated some reactions from Ghanaians who came across her video on X. Some of the comments are below.
Smoke Gee commented:
"Because some of them have farms, they plant organic foods for their families, so they don’t care."
Tony El-Wonder558 said:
"True sis, I wonder why we are literally trying to tell our Creator he is unwise now. We are trying to do things and achieve results quickly n unnaturally...hmmm."
FixNupgrade wrote:
"GMOs have been here for a while now. We are more focused on the crop aspect of it, but the animal part of it is equally dangerous. In parts of Ghana (this is actually something I've seen, they grow both GMOs and local crops but sell the GMOs while their families feed on the former. This is a threat to our culture (Our food culture) as a country. And Sis, the farmers, even those who know about it still grow it because of their fast yield. It's really threatening."
John Dumelo donates farm inputs to farmers
YEN.com.gh had earlier reported that actor-turned-politician, John Dumelo, embarked on a tour of the North East Region to interact with farmers as part of his duties as the Deputy Minister of Agriculture.
In a video, the Ayawaso West Wuogon MP joined the farmers to begin work on the farms and make significant donations to help them.
John Dumelo received massive praise from many Ghanaians for his commitment and efforts to improve the lives of the farmers.
Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
