Samia Yaaba Nkrumah
Photo: Citifmonline
Samia Yaaba Nkrumah (pictured), Chairperson, Convention Peoples Party (CPP) is completely against the introduction of Genetically Modified Foods (GM) into Ghana’s food supply as they pose a significant threat to farming practices, public health and the environment.
During an Anti-GMO demonstration at the Kaneshie Market in Accra on Thursday, Nkrumah pushed for the government to do more research on “agro-ecological agriculture including agro-forestry, green manure, cover crops, soil and water conservation, mulching and use of local seeds,” according to Ghana Web.
“These technologies are proven to be more resilient to climate change, and more sustainable and accessible to local farmers,” Nkrumah said.
The demonstration was held on the International Day of Farmers Struggle by the Coalition for Farmers Right and Advocacy against GMOs (COFAM).
The Parliament is considering the passage of the “Plant Breeders Bill” which will become a gateway for genetically modified food if passed.
“The Plant Breeders Bill currently at the consideration stage at Parliament is all about the imposition of genetically modified organisms into our food chain without public awareness and discussions on the decision,” Nkrumah stated.
The demonstration was a joint effort between COFAM, Foods Sovereignty Ghana, Centre for Indigenous Knowledge on Organization Development, Peasant Farmers Association and other civil society organizations.
