Accra: The National Biosafety Authority (NBA) is intensifying its efforts to establish a dedicated reference laboratory aimed at bolstering the independent testing and surveillance of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), as stated by Mr. Kwame Dei Asamoah-Okyere, Chief Executive of the Authority. This initiative is part of the NBA's overarching strategy to fortify Ghana's biosafety regulatory framework, enhancing the timeliness and credibility of its regulatory decisions.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Asamoah-Okyere revealed these plans during an interview following a stakeholder validation meeting concerning Ghana's Fifth National Report on the Implementation of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. Ghana, as a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity and its Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, is committed to regulating the safe handling, transport, and use of living modified organisms (LMOs) to safeguard human health, biodiversity, and the environment.
The Chief Executive elaborated that the NBA has conveyed the necessity for a regulator-owned laboratory to the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, and has engaged development partners for support. While the Authority currently depends on third-party laboratories for GMO testing, building its own laboratory capacity is deemed vital for maintaining independence and sustainability.
In the interim, the NBA is forging partnerships with existing laboratories to support its work, with the ultimate goal of establishing its own reference laboratory. Mr. Asamoah-Okyere mentioned that national laboratories, such as the Biotechnology and Nuclear Agriculture Research Institute of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, have expressed readiness to assist the NBA with testing services.
The Chief Executive highlighted the challenges posed by the increasing movement of GMO products within the West African sub-region, compounded by porous borders, which necessitate robust surveillance and testing systems. He cited instances of products, like cowpea imported from neighboring countries, potentially entering the market without undergoing the regulatory process.
Mr. Asamoah-Okyere emphasized the NBA's responsibility to scientifically assess and regulate such products, either guiding them through the regulatory process or removing them from the market if necessary. To enhance regulation, NBA staff will join the surveillance team in the field to bolster monitoring efforts.
The Biotechnology and Nuclear Agriculture Research Institute of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission has indicated its willingness to test living modified organisms, a collaboration the NBA intends to explore to strengthen its surveillance systems. The establishment of a reference laboratory is expected to facilitate routine testing, enable quicker responses to biosafety concerns, and reinforce public confidence in regulatory outcomes.