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 to release into the environment GM cowpea, or beans, which has inherent resistance to pest attacks. A decision on acceptance or rejection from the authority is expected by August 2022. In the light of widespread misinformation about GMOs generally, the Speaking Science Ghana training workshop will seek to equip young and senior scientists with the appropriate communication skills to effectively educate the public about GMOs and other agricultural biotechnologies using the media and other public fora.
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), and the West Africa Center for Crop Improvement (WACCI) at the University of Ghana.
Who can participate?
- Senior scientists with academic institutions and research organizations who use agricultural biotechnology tools like GMO technology in their work
- Graduate students undertaking agricultural biotechnology related research
- Undergraduate students studying agriculture and related programs
Workshop objectives
- To equip participants with effective communication skills that they can use in educating the public about GMOs and agricultural biotechnology generally
- To equip participants with the best skills in using the media to communicate about science including writing opinion pieces, giving media interviews, and the use of digital media tools
Expected outcome
- Scientists and science allies will be in a better position to appropriately sensitize the public about agricultural biotechnology generally and GMOs specifically
- Scientists and science allies will acquire skills they can use to help sensitize the public about GM cowpea and other GM products currently under development in Ghana
For more information contact Alliance for Science training team member Joseph Opoku Gakpo at jog33@cornell.edu.