Training dates: July 5-8, 2022
Application deadline: Closed
Location: Tamale, Northern Region – Ghana
Background
Ghana is on the verge of approving its first genetically modified crop. The Savannah Agricultural Research Institute (SARI) of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has submitted an application to the National Biosafety Authority, requesting approval for environmental release of GM cowpea, or beans, which offers inherent resistance to pest attacks. A decision from the authority is expected by August 2022. This training will offer journalists an introduction to scientists engaged in GM research and a field visit that gives them a first-hand understanding of GM crops and their value to farmers.
Partners
The Alliance for Science is organizing this workshop in partnership with the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB), Ghana Agricultural and Rural Development Journalists Association (GARDJA), and the Savannah Agricultural Research Institute (SARI) of the Council for Scientistic and Industrial Research (CSIR).
Who will participate?
The training and field visit is for journalists who report on issues of agriculture and environment, seasoned television and radio presenters, and editors. About 30 media practitioners from across the country will participate.
Workshop objectives
The objective of this training is to equip journalists with broad knowledge of what GM crops and specifically offer them a firm understanding of Bt cowpea.
Specific objectives
• Build evidence-based awareness of Ghana’s GM crops, particularly Bt cowpea
• Help journalists understand benefits of GM crops
• Help journalists see GMOs as living crops instead of an abstract term
• Help journalists build a strong network with scientists, farmers, and other stakeholders working on GMOs
• Generate more benefits-based conversations about GMOs on mainstream media platforms
Expected outcomes
• Journalists will be able to do some field reporting on GMOs
• Journalists will have an evidence-based understanding of GMOs so they can report accurately and critically evaluate claims made about the technology
• Journalists will have a clear and evidence-based understanding of how GMOs could be good for Ghana
• Journalists will have built a network of scientists and farmers to contact for future stories on GMOs
• Journalists will be more knowledgeable on GMOs, so they help fight misinformation about the technology
For more information contact Alliance for Science training team member Joseph Opoku Gakpo at jog33@cornell.edu.