Friday , March 29 2024

OFAB MEDIA AWARDS LAUNCHED

Open Forum for Agricultural Biotechnology(OFAB) has today launched the 2018 edition of it’s media awards.

This year’s award which is the 2nd edition will create recognition for the media on the national scene and Africa as a whole in the effectiveness on reporting issues of science and technology in the agriculture and in agricultural biotechnology in particular.

Speaking at the launched,Former Director-General,CSIR,Ghana and OFAB Ghana Chapter,Prof Walter Sandow Alhassan has called on parliament to fuel the passage and implementation of the Plant Breeders’ Right Bill yet to be placed.

To him,Ghana’s agriculture in relation to the seed sector recognizing it’s importance for a vibrant agricultural sector;Most farmers in Ghana currently use the traditional farmer-saved seeds which estimated that only 5% of farmers use certified seeds and that less than 20% of the seeds is certified.

“The National Seed Plan is encouraging a private sector-led seed industry that will benefit from a Public-Private-Partnership(PPP).If the challenges of the seed value chain are addressed and the Planting for Food and Jobs creates the expected demand pull for quality seed, we can see a vibrant seed industry that will benefit further from an accelerated pace of plant variety” he quizzed.

Prof. Walter S. Alhassan therefore urged the media to create the awareness in the farmer for the new technology and for its use.

On his part,president of the Ghana Journalists Association(GJA)Roland Affail thanked the Organisers for such programme which will help deepen professionalism of journalists in the country.

He added that science reporters must use their power of persuasive to educate the masses on whether to eat GMO’s or not which is huge debate right here in Ghana.

In conclusion Mr Affail Monney called on OFAB to expand the quantum of the package so that journalists sees the awards as the most potent to cure professional diseases in the media and also encourage other journalists to excel.

Kwabenah Darkwa/Pinkfmonlinegh.com

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