The Chairperson of the Convention People's Party (CPP), Samia Yaba Nkrumah is urging Ghanaians to rise up against the commercializing of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in the country.
The CPP chair said the ideology of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the first president of Ghana was to fight against economic struggle, hence, the need for Ghanaians to kick against the introduction of GMO foods into the country.
Speaking to the DAILY HERITAGE after the Human Rights Division of the Accra Fast Track High Court has granted the counsel for the CPP, a request to join the motion; she said Ghanaians “want to remain healthy.
“The suit is part of our struggle for economic independence, and the basis of this is what we eat, drink and how we eat. We want to remain healthy. We want our children and grandchildren to remain healthy. We refuse to be guinea pigs. We refuse to be tested with these unsafe seeds scientists have not concurred to be safe. We refuse to be tested with Ebola vaccine,” Samia stated.
Food Sovereignty Ghana (FSG) is seeking an injunction to prevent the national biosafety committee, established under the Biosafety Act from commercializing such food products.
The court presided over by Justice Kofi Essel Mensah after listening to arguments from the parties in the case granted the CPP's request to be the second plaintiff as more parties have started filing their processes to join the motion to fight against GMOs.
More Plaintiffs
Apart from the CPP, two other bodies, the Vegetarian Association of Ghana and the Kanyan Akuafuo Kuo Society from the Brong Ahafo region have begun processes to be joined as the third and forth plaintiffs respectively against the motion at the court.
Justice Mensah also opened the doors for all parties with different opinions who want to join the suit to do so before the interlocutory injunction is considered.
Last adjourned date
At the previous hearing on May 11, 2015, the Judge granted the request by counsel for the Ghana National Association of Farmers and Fishermen to join the case on the side of the defense.
According to the Judge, he was of the opinion that any party that wished to express its interest in the case was free to do so.
It is the contention of FSG that Modern Biotechnology is a potent and novel technology that presents unique risks. It is in recognition of this that measures have been put in place to ensure the safe handling, transport, and use of genetically modified organisms resulting from Modern Biotechnology that may have adverse effects on biological diversity, taking into account risks to human health.
FSG claims
FSG is claiming that the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety of which Ghana is a signatory, the Biosafety Act, 2011, Act 831, as well as Legislative Instrument 1887, which established the National Biosafety Committee, has not been respected.
The CPP over the past few years has led a campaign against the passing and implementation of a law which will allow government to legalize GMO products in the country.
CPP is happy
Speaking to this paper, the chairperson of the CPP said they were firm in their resolve to protect the larger interest of Ghanaians, hence, their move.
“The CPP has finally and officially been joined to this whole suit against the Ministry of Agric. We are so proud of the Ghanaian farmers who came here and the different associations who are rising up against the decision to legalize Genetically Modified Foods.
“For us, this is an issue of national sovereignty and security. We passionately believe that …if we don't plan any aspect of our national life, taking into consideration the safety of Ghanaians, this country is going to go down the drain.”
Other parties
The CCP chairperson said, “We can do it without interference; we can do it, if we are sincere with our people. We must ensure that Ghana is free from wrong thinking.”
“… If you believe, and you understand why we got our independence, if you believe in Kwame Nkrumah's vision, that Kwame Nkrumah did something good for this country, then listen to the followers, the genuine concerns, which is the modern day CPP and PNC. Every decision we made was guided by what Kwame Nkrumah said before and the policies he had outlined for this country.”
Ghana's First female MP
The first female Member of Parliament under Dr. Nkrumah between 1960 and 1966, Madam Louise Anin said, Africa is not a dumping site and therefore she is lending her support to oppose the move to commercialize GMOs. organism.
Defendants in the case
The defendants in the case are the national Biosafety Committee, Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the National Biosafety Authority and the Attorney General's department, first, second, third and forth defendants respectively.
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