By Edward Dankwah
Accra, May 13, GNA – Dr. Daniel Ashie Kotey, the Director of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) – Plant Genetic Resources Research Institute (PGRRI), has called for stronger legislative support to fully implement the Nagoya Protocol and protect Ghana’s genetic resources for future generations.
He said the protocol, which was a supplementary agreement to the Convention on Biological Diversity, was adopted to promote fair access to genetic resources and ensure equitable sharing of benefits arising from their utilisation.
The Director of CSIR-PGRRI was speaking at a workshop on the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits (ABS) Arising from their Utilisation in Accra.
The purpose of the workshop was to increase awareness among institutions and individuals identified as key stakeholders in promoting the effective implementation of the Nagoya Protocol for the benefit of current and future generations.
The CSIR-PGRRI is also the National Plant Gene Bank of Ghana.
Dr. Kotey said Ghana became a party to the protocol in 2019, while the CSIR-PGRRI was designated as the National Competent Authority and National Focal Point in 2021 to oversee its implementation.
Since then, he said, the institute had been working to ensure that Ghana protects its genetic resources and receives all benefits derived from their use by external parties.
He stressed that awareness creation remained central to the effective implementation of the protocol, explaining that genetic resources existed across the country in forests, farms, homes, clothing, and other biological materials with valuable characteristics that could be exploited.
The Director noted that citizens needed to understand that any transfer of genetic materials outside the country must follow the appropriate procedures to ensure proper documentation, inventory, and tracking.
“This will enable Ghana to exercise sovereign rights over its genetic resources and secure the benefits due the country from their utilization,” he added.
Dr. Kotey warned that biodiversity degradation, climate change, and other environmental pressures made the protection of genetic resources increasingly important.
“If future generations are to maintain the ability to address environmental and biodiversity challenges, then they must have secure access to our genetic resources,” he stated.
Dr. Kotey said while Ghana had already instituted the necessary administrative measures for implementing the protocol, legal backing was still needed to strengthen the authority of institutions responsible for enforcement.
He appealed to the Government and Parliament to support efforts to fully domesticate the Nagoya Protocol through legislation to provide a stronger legal framework for implementation and help safeguard Ghana’s biodiversity resources for the benefit of both present and future generations.
Mr. Forson Djotor, the Scientific Coordinator and Head of Secretariat, Ghana Science Association, called for intensified public education and stronger government commitment toward the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol.
He said although the protocol offered Ghana significant opportunities in protecting and benefiting from its genetic resources, awareness about it remained low, even within the scientific community.
Mr Djotor noted that despite years of working within the science fraternity and handling scientific publications, he had only recently become aware of the protocol, stressing the need for broader sensitisation.
“Vigorous public education and outreach programmes are necessary to help citizens understand the importance of the protocol and encourage collective support for its implementation,” he added.
He emphasised the need for stronger government backing, noting that institutions implementing the protocol depended heavily on state support and funding.
“Government signed onto the protocol, so its commitment is critical for successful implementation,” he stressed.
Mr Djotor urged the government to demonstrate stronger commitment through policy support and adequate funding to ensure the country fully benefits from the protocol.
GNA
Edited by Linda Asante Agyei