{"id":231634,"date":"2022-07-18T17:46:26","date_gmt":"2022-07-18T15:46:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/genetically-modified-cowpea-clears-its-first-hurdle-in-ghana-but-theres-a-long-way-to-go\/"},"modified":"2022-07-18T17:46:26","modified_gmt":"2022-07-18T15:46:26","slug":"genetically-modified-cowpea-clears-its-first-hurdle-in-ghana-but-theres-a-long-way-to-go","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/genetically-modified-cowpea-clears-its-first-hurdle-in-ghana-but-theres-a-long-way-to-go\/","title":{"rendered":"Genetically modified cowpea clears its first hurdle in Ghana, but there’s a long way to go"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Genetically modified (GM) cowpea has cleared the first of the three regulatory hurdles in the way of commercialisation in Ghana. If it is commercialised, it will be the first GM crop grown in the country \u2013 a major milestone. Biotechnology proponents have been working for decades to integrate GM crops into Ghana\u2019s development agenda.<\/p>\n

The approval<\/a> of GM cowpea by the National Biosafety Authority<\/a> comes amid debate, both inside<\/a> and outside<\/a> the country, on the efficacy of GM crops in strengthening food security throughout Africa.<\/p>\n

Cowpea \u2013 black-eyed pea in some parts of the world \u2013 is a major source of protein in Ghana and the rest of the sub-continent. It is integral to Ghana\u2019s food security<\/a>. It is a staple, especially in the northern part of Ghana, where it is second only to groundnut in terms of area cultivated. Ghana is the fifth largest producer<\/a> of cowpea in Africa.<\/p>\n

While cowpea production is essential for Ghana, farmers face many challenges, including an array of pests. The GM cowpea has been genetically engineered to resist the the Maruca pod borer<\/a>. The hope is that this resistance will help decrease the amount of insecticide<\/a> farmers have been using to control pests and increase yields. Insecticides are known<\/a> to be deleterious to human health, but their use is on the rise<\/a> throughout Africa. <\/p>\n

If Ghana commercialises GM cowpea, it will join Nigeria<\/a> as the second country in the world to grow it. Burkina Faso may follow in commercialising it as well. While GM crops so far have a mixed legacy<\/a> in Africa, proponents hope that GM cowpea could change that narrative. <\/p>\n

Tensions over GM crops<\/h2>\n

In Ghana, efforts to introduce GM crops have not gone without challenge. Since Ghanaian scientists first began conducting field trials of GM crops in 2013, a large contingent of Ghanaian civil society groups, from trade unions to farmers\u2019 associations to advocacy organisations, have raised concerns. These include:<\/p>\n