By Madjid Diallo
The National Biosafety Authority (NBA) has launched the Biosafety and Biotechnology Expo as part of efforts to deepen public understanding of biosafety regulation and the responsible application of modern biotechnology in Ghana.
Chief Executive Officer of the NBA, Mr. Kwame Dei Asamoah-Okyere, said the initiative was necessary to address limited public awareness about the Authority and its mandate, particularly its role in regulating biotechnology-related products and technologies.
He noted that although the NBA’s work has implications for several sectors of the economy, including agriculture, healthcare, industry and the environment, many Ghanaians remained unaware of its existence.
“The main objective is to enhance awareness on biosafety regulation in Ghana. There are lots of people who are not aware that the NBA exists. If they don’t know we exist, how will they know what we do?” he said.
Mr. Asamoah-Okyere explained that the Expo would bring together key stakeholders within the biotechnology ecosystem, including policymakers, researchers, academics, manufacturers, regulators and consumers.
He said the engagement would help strengthen understanding of biosafety regulation while promoting the safe and beneficial use of modern biotechnology to address national development challenges.
According to him, the launch serves as a precursor to a major two-day Biosafety and Biotechnology Expo scheduled for October 2027, with the current initiative expected to generate greater interest and participation ahead of the main event.
“Our next steps are to follow up with all those who joined us this year in preparing for the next 12 months, where we’ll have the two-day event in October 2027,” he stated.
The NBA Chief Executive Officer called on stakeholders across the biotechnology value chain, particularly regulators, researchers, manufacturers in the food and pharmaceutical sectors, policymakers and consumers, to actively support the initiative.
He stressed that the Authority’s primary responsibility was to protect public health and the environment while ensuring that biotechnology innovations introduced into Ghana met established safety and effectiveness standards.
“Our first goal is to ensure that there are safe and effective technologies out there in the market solving problems for us as a nation. The second is to ensure that if you have any technologies that are not safe and are not effective, they do not get to the marketplace,” he said.
Mr. Asamoah-Okyere added that where biotechnology products and technologies had been proven safe and effective, the NBA would work to ensure their continued availability and application in addressing national challenges.
He said the Expo would therefore serve not only as an awareness platform but also as an avenue for dialogue among stakeholders on how Ghana could maximize the benefits of modern biotechnology while safeguarding human health and the environment.