By Linda Asante Agyei
Accra, September 23, GNA- Innovations in modern biotechnology such as Genome Editing (GEd) may be the key to modernizing Ghana’s food systems, Mr. Kwamena Essilfie Quaison, Director of Science, Technology and Innovation, Ministry of Environment, of Science and Technology, and Innovation (MESTI) he said.
He noted that the world has entered a phase of major technological innovations and Africa must harness these developments to reap the necessary benefits for its people.
“Indeed, the application of genome editing is consistent with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals, and for this reason the AUDA-NEPAD project on genome editing should be seen as a project looking towards forward which must enjoy the support of all African governments’.
Mr Quaison was speaking at a two-day in-country workshop on GEd Product Development in Ghana organized by MESTI in collaboration with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and AUDA-NEPAD.
The training, attended by scientists from both research institutions and academia, focused on the development of Genome Editing products with an emphasis on the applicability and risks of the tool to enhance agricultural value and supply chains.
The training, as part of the AUDA-NEPAD genome editing program for Africa, seeks to support the achievement of key development outcomes such as climate change adaptation and poverty reduction and the sustainability of Africa’s food systems.
Mr. Quaison explained that the Government of Ghana has put in place the necessary regulatory framework to ensure that the country gets the most out of these emerging technologies.
“To harness the benefits of genome editing and other emerging technologies to advance Ghana’s development agenda, Ghana has relevant policies and laws,” he added.
These policies and laws include the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy, which is under review, the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) 2022-2025, the National Agricultural Investment Plan (NAIP), Sector Development Food and Agriculture Policy (FASDEP), the Biosecurity Act, 2011 (Act 831), the CSIR Act, 1996 (Act 521), among many others.
He commended AUDA-NEPAD for their exemplary leadership support and urged Ghanaian scientists to ensure that “we are able to integrate genome editing, an important modern biotechnology tool into our food systems to enhance its resilience”.
Prof. Olalekan Akinbo, Head of the Center of Excellence in Science, Technology and Innovation (CoE-STI) of AUDA-NEPAD noted that Africa should experience zero hunger by 2063 and explained that this will only happen when scientists come to use the innovation of genome editing to improve agricultural productivity for the benefit of farmers.
“If we do not move the continent forward as scientists, the generation behind will not forgive us,” he stressed.
He explained that Africa had a young population, the youngest population in the world and the continent must capitalize on this advantage in the development agenda, hence, “the need to ensure that the African Union Agenda 2063 does not become just a policy statement , but an action-oriented strategy for the continent.”
Professor Akinbo called for a deepening of collaboration between institutions in Ghana undertaking genome editing research, building trust and confidence between institutions and having an open door policy for collaboration.
He noted that Africa will not be able to make changes until over-reliance on donors drives the research agenda for the continent. a situation that may affect the direction of African research was reviewed.
“We need to domesticate the continent’s research output for Africa to reap the necessary benefits,” he added.
Dr. Seth Manteaw, AUDA-NEPAD Genome Editing Program Country Coordinator called for the need to inspire confidence in the application of genome editing and invited stakeholders to appreciate the essence of emerging modern biotechnology from the point of product development.
GNA