Lawyer unhappy with delay in GMO case

Lawyer for a Civil Society Group, Food Sovereignty Ghana has expressed disquiet about the continuous adjournment of the case against commercialization of Genetically Modified Foods (GMO) in the country.

The group in a suit against the National Bio safety Committee and four others, is seeking declarations on whether required processes and laws have been adhered to in the ongoing plans to commercialize GMOs.

Lawyer Tetteh Wayoe speaking with Daakyehene after court proceedings accused the defendants of intentionally delaying the case.

According to court documents, the plaintiffs are seeking a declaration from the Human Rights Court on “whether or not the defendants have observed the critical domestic and international laws of risk assessment and management in relation to the release and commercialization of Bt cowpea and Bt rice in the country.”

The defendants in the case are the National Bio safety Committee (which is now defunct following the establishment of a National Bio safety Authority), the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Attorney General’s Office, National Bio safety Authority and Ghana National Farmers and Fishermen Association.

Food Sovereignty Ghana has filed the case along with the Vegetarian Association of Ghana, Goaso Kayan Akuafo Kuo – a farmers association, and Convention People’s Party.

The plaintiffs are also seeking a declaration from the court as to “whether the defendants have proper and detailed documentation in relation to the area of risk assessment and management in relation to the intention to release and commercialise Bt cowpea and Bt Rice in the Ghanaian ecosystem, and if they meet the accepted legal requirements in the handling of GMO activities.”