Accra: Dr. Daniel Ashie Kotey, the Director of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) - Plant Genetic Resources Research Institute (PGRRI), has called for stronger legislative support to fully implement the Nagoya Protocol and protect Ghana's genetic resources for future generations. He emphasized the importance of legal measures in ensuring the protection and fair usage of these resources at a workshop on the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits (ABS) in Accra.
According to Ghana News Agency, the workshop aimed to increase awareness among key stakeholders regarding the effective implementation of the Nagoya Protocol. Dr. Kotey highlighted that the protocol, adopted as a supplementary agreement to the Convention on Biological Diversity, was designed to promote equitable access and benefit-sharing of genetic resources. Ghana became a party to the protocol in 2019, and the CSIR-PGRRI was designated as the National Competent Authority and National Focal Point in 2021 to oversee its implementation.
Dr. Kotey stressed the need for awareness creation as a central component of the protocol's implementation. He noted that genetic resources in Ghana, found in various biological materials, could be exploited, and proper procedures must be followed for their transfer outside the country. This process ensures Ghana can exercise sovereign rights over its genetic resources and secure due benefits.
Highlighting the urgency of protecting genetic resources, Dr. Kotey warned of the threats posed by biodiversity degradation, climate change, and other environmental pressures. He stated that safeguarding these resources was crucial for future generations to address environmental and biodiversity challenges. While administrative measures are in place, Dr. Kotey called for legal backing to empower institutions responsible for enforcing the protocol.
Dr. Kotey appealed to the Government and Parliament to support legislation that would strengthen the protocol's implementation and safeguard Ghana's biodiversity resources. He emphasized the need for a robust legal framework to benefit both present and future generations.
Mr. Forson Djotor, the Scientific Coordinator and Head of Secretariat at the Ghana Science Association, echoed Dr. Kotey's sentiments by calling for intensified public education and stronger government commitment to the protocol's implementation. He noted that awareness about the protocol remains low, even within the scientific community, and stressed the importance of public education and outreach programs.
Mr. Djotor emphasized the need for stronger government backing, noting that institutional support and funding are vital for successful implementation. He urged the government to demonstrate its commitment through policy support and adequate funding, ensuring that Ghana fully benefits from the protocol.