By Damian Avevor
The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) has advised Ghanaians debating on Genetically-Modified Organisms (GMOs) to cease fire and allow proper dialogue and consultation to take place among all relevant stakeholders.
“This will make Ghana the true winner in whatever decision we will eventually arrive at with regard to the possible introduction of GMOs in Ghana.”
The Bishops said that there was the need to hasten slowly and not rush with the introduction of GMOs to the Ghanaian market.
In a Press Statement on Genetically-Modified Crops and Foods, the Bishops said the GCBC “has followed the debate and discussions on the possible introduction of Genetically-Modified Organisms (GMOs) in Ghana with keen interest, attention and concern.”
The Statement signed by Most Rev. Joseph Osei-Bonsu, President of the GCBC, said “These debates and discussions have been on-going for some time now. Those who support GMO have been quick to point out the benefits of GMOs to the Ghanaian public while refusing to acknowledge or even blatantly deny any side effects and consequences such foods and crops may have.”
Opponents of GMOs, on the other hand, have also been quick to raise concerns about the possible health hazards and side effects GMOs may have on the environment and human health, while at the same time discounting any advantage GMOs may bring to our nation and its people, it added.
The Statement said having had the opportunity to listen to both sides of the GMO debate and to study both the advantages and disadvantages of GMOs, “We believe that there is the urgent need to organise a proper education for all Ghanaians to appreciate the merits and demerits of GMOs in order to help all citizens to make a proper and informed decision on the subject.
“It is noteworthy that the whole world is taking to heart the advice of one of our own sons, His Eminence Peter Cardinal Appiah Turkson, President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace at the Vatican, Rome.”
“He advised that the debate on GMOs be deferred for proper dialogue and education to take place considering that such a decision will have long-lasting effects on future generations of people.”
This advice, the Bishops said was worth listening to and acting upon in Ghana as well.
The Bishops’ Conference was optimistic that all stakeholders, including Government, Parliament, Civil Society Organizations, interested parties, among others, will all exercise restraint and caution in deciding whether or not GMOs should be introduced into the country.
There is a lot of work to be done in this area, not least, the proper education and information of our people and instead of debating the issue in the public space of the media.
The Bishops called on Ghanaians to hasten slowly, for there is absolutely no need to rush with the issue of GMOs.