US embassy cable - 04ACCRA1543

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ACCRA 001543 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EB BIOTECH SPECIAL NEGOTIATOR PETER CHASE 
STATE FOR EB/TPP/ABT/BTT 
USDA FOR FAS/OA/BIOTECH/SIMMONS AND FAS/ICD 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KPAO, SENV, ETRD, ECON, EAGR, TBIO, GH, BIOTECHNOLOGY 
SUBJECT: GHANA ADVANCES ITS BIOSAFETY FRAMEWORK 
 
REF: A. 2003 ACCRA 2453 
     B. ACCRA 17 
     C. STATE 35894 
 
1. Summary.  Ghana is preparing a National Biosafety 
Framework, in accordance with its responsibilities under the 
Cartegena Protocol on Biosafety (reftels).  On July 14, 
Ghana's Biotech and Nuclear Agricultural Research Institute 
(BNARI) hosted a stakeholder workshop to discuss the final 
components of the framework.  UNEP and the Global Environment 
Facility are assisting Ghana in this effort to develop the 
legal, technical, administrative and information framework to 
address biosafety.  End Summary. 
 
Speakers Support Prudent Biotech Use 
------------------------------------ 
2. Ishmael Ashitey, Minister of State for Trade, Industry and 
Presidential Special Initiatives, opened the seminar speaking 
about the positive impact that a well-regulated biotechnology 
sector would have for Ghana.  Biotech would contribute to 
Ghana's food supply by increasing farm yields, reducing 
costs, improving the quality of products, and improving 
environmental management of land and resources.  Ashitey 
challenged the scientists, business representatives and 
government officials in attendance to develop the biosafety 
framework to harness maximum benefit for Ghana.  "If science 
is kept in the labs," he warned, "it is of no use to the man 
on the street." 
 
3. In the keynote address, Food and Agriculture Minister 
Major Courage Quashigah was generally positive about the 
applications of biotech, but cautioned against its unforeseen 
hazards.  "Biotech is one weapon against hunger," he said, 
"but as with other weapons that can backfire and harm the 
user, biotech needs a safety catch."  He spoke of possible 
risks to biodiversity and human and animal health, and the 
potential for greater resistance to antibiotics.  In another 
colorful analogy, he likened biotech use to war, where the 
repercussions from chemical exposure or trauma may not appear 
for years.  He recognized that biotech, geared specifically 
to Ghana's needs, could truly improve its food security and 
nutrition, but warned that Ghana could find itself in a 
position in the future where it would be dependent on buying 
seeds from the "Gene Giants."  He reiterated that Ghana has 
already made the decision to "get on the train" with biotech, 
but he supported starting now to prepare for unforeseen 
circumstances. 
 
Overview of Biosafety Framework 
------------------------------- 
4. Alex Owusu-Biney, the National Project Coordinator for the 
UNEP/GEF project to develop a National Biosafety Framework, 
gave an overview of the components. (Note: Post can provide a 
copy of the draft framework upon request.)  The objective of 
the framework is to promote research and development, but 
also to avoid negligence, misuse, or irresponsibility.  Ghana 
followed UNEP guidelines and incorporated 5 key elements in 
the current draft framework: 1) a government policy on 
biosafety; 2) an administrative system; 3) a decision-making 
body; 4) a monitoring and evaluation component; and 5) a 
mechanism for public participation and information sharing. 
The framework would apply both in Ghana and for transboundary 
movement for all handling, transit and use of biotech. 
Owusu-Biney recognized that no country has a foolproof 
framework and stated that he expects the framework to evolve 
over time. 
 
5. Owusu-Biney was forthright about the challenges for the 
project, especially since Ghana does not yet have a biotech 
policy.  There is a science and technology policy, which 
contains a biotech component, but he argued that there is an 
urgent need for separate biotech-specific policies. 
Questions regarding labeling and the role of NGOs remain to 
be answered, and there is confusion over how to reconcile 
national policy with other international agreements and 
guidelines.  Owusu-Biney acknowledged that policy makers have 
a lot of work to do, including building capacity, encouraging 
public engagement, training decision-makers, and training 
regulators to handle risk assessment. 
 
6. Owusu-Biney and other drafters of the framework admitted 
that this is a very technical issue and policy makers will 
have to continue to engage Ghana's scientists in the 
development of the biosafety framework and biotech policy. 
Owusu-Biney emphasized that the workshop was an important 
opportunity for all stakeholders to contribute to and become 
involved in the process.  (Comment: Econoff was the only 
visible outsider at the workshop and Post was fortunate to 
have an observer at this high-level working group.  The 
general theme of speakers echoed what we have heard in other 
discussions: Ghana does not want to miss the boat on biotech, 
but it also wants to ensure that it does not dive in without 
mechanisms to regulate misuse.  End Comment.) 
YATES