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Ghana has granted its first-ever approval for the commercial cultivation of a genetically modified (GM) crop.
The new seed, a pest-resistant variety of cowpea, is designed to reduce crop losses for a vital national food source.
The National Biosafety Authority (NBA) confirmed that the Pod Borer Resistant (PBR) cowpea, also known as Songotra T, is the only GM seed currently cleared for planting in the country.
This follows months of rigorous safety and environmental reviews.
The approval directly addresses the devastating impact of the Maruca pod-borer insect, which can destroy up to 80% of a farmer’s cowpea harvest.
By integrating a natural resistance to this pest, the PBR variety promises higher yields and a significant reduction in the need for chemical pesticides.
Kwesi Anderson, a Principal Biosafety Officer at the NBA, firmly addressed public speculation, stating,
“There are rumors that the NBA has granted permits for 14 varieties, but those permits cover only grains for food, feed, and processing, not for planting. The only GM seed approved for cultivation is the PBR cowpea.”
Early adopters are already reporting transformative results.
“I had a bumper harvest this year with the PBR cowpea,” said farmer Kwabena Yaw James. “I spent less on chemicals and still got better yields.”
Developed through a partnership between the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and international institutions, the PBR cowpea was officially launched in July 2024.
Scientists emphasize that the modification only targets pest resistance and does not alter the nutritional value of the legume.
“The genetic modification has not altered its protein, vitamins, carbohydrates, or mineral content; it is still safe and healthy to consume,” assured Dr. Flora Christine Amagloh, a food scientist with the CSIR-Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (SARI), during a field demonstration in Nyankpala.
First publication: Ghana Approves Its First Genetically Modified Food Crop
