NGO calls for regulatory systems for agrochemical use

By Godfred Aaneamenga Polkuu

Bolgatanga, May 28, GNA – The Forum for Natural Regeneration (FONAR), an agricultural-focused Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), has advocated strong regulatory systems for agrochemical use in Ghana.

Mr Sumaila Seidu Saaka, Executive Director of the NGO made the call when he addressed stakeholders at an event to mark World Bee Day in Bolgatanga on the theme: “Bee inspired by nature to nourish us all.”

World Bee Day is observed annually on May 20, and as part of activities to mark the day, FONAR organized the event dubbed “Time with the media: Screening of ‘The Pollinators’ documentary film.”

World Bee Day is set aside every year by the United Nations to raise awareness of the need to keep bees with emphasis on the importance of bees for pollination and economic values.

The event, funded by Awaken Trees Foundation of Austria, attracted selected journalists and officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry Commission (FC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Mr Saaka emphasized the need for strong regulatory systems for agrochemical use, “We need to have a very strong regulatory system in teams of how we use agrochemicals in Ghana.”

He said central and local governments, especially the District Assemblies must develop the capabilities of regulatory institutions such as the EPA, the crop protection and regulatory services department of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Food and Drugs Authority to monitor and regulate the extent to which pesticides were used.

This, he said, would create a system where pollinators including bees and other pollinated insects were not over polluted in the system.

He said bees were important insects as they were one of the major pollinators in the world, and that a lot of agricultural products including tomatoes, pepper and groundnuts were pollinated by bees.

“So, the theme for this year is for us to appreciate the fact that pollinators are important. And that is why for us, as an organization that is promoting tree conservation through farmer management natural regeneration, we think it is appropriate for us to celebrate,” Mr Saaka said.

He called on journalists to educate farmers on the importance of bees not just as pollinators, but the provision of honey, and noted that “Bees, along with other insects, pollinate more than 75 per cent of flowering plants.”

The Executive Director added that bees were essential for the pollination of about 1,500 crops worldwide, which contributed 15 to 30 per cent of global food production, and that the economic value of pollination services, largely provided by bees were estimated at between USD235 and 577 billion annually.

Mr Michael Nanor, a Forest Ranger at the Forest Services Division of the FC, underscored the importance of beekeeping and encouraged the citizenry to regard beekeeping as an important exercise in the promotion of food security.

“So let us protect our bees, take care of them, minimize the use of harmful chemicals that destroy bees and let us practice the planting of more trees that would encourage bees to thrive in our various ecosystems,” he said.

Mr Godfred Yao Agbenyeke, an Assistant Programme Officer at the EPA, called for protection of bees to improve crop production and food security.

GNA

Edited by Fatima Anafu-Astanga /Kenneth Odeng Adade