The campaign against genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and the Plant Breeders� Bill is set to be intensified as the Founder of the Research Foundation for Science, Technology and Ecology, Dr Vandana Shiva, carries her campaign to Ghana for a two-day working visit.
Her visit to Ghana is part of a three-African nation tour under the auspices of the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa. The other countries earmarked for the visit are Zimbabwe and Tanzania.
Dr Shiva, an Indian agro-ecologist and known activist against GMOs, is expected to hold a press conference at 10:30 a.m. today, June 9 in Accra, which will be followed by a public forum at 2:00 p.m.
Dr Shiva, who would be accompanied by a Coordinator of AFSA, Dr Million Belay, would give public lectures on issues of industrial agriculture, specifically her experience on issues of GMOs and green revolution in India.
The two-day visit also includes radio and television interviews and meetings with representatives of civil society organisations and farmers� groups.
Speaking in an interview, the General Secretary of Food Sovereignty Ghana, Mr Duke Tagoe, said his organisation was excited with the visit of Dr Shiva �because she will bring to bear on Ghanaians her rich experience in GMOs and GM seeds�.
He said Dr Shiva would also throw more light on the Bio-safety Act, which paved the way for the introduction of the GMOs into the country.
Mr Tagoe said he was particularly happy that her visit could influence and reignite discussions and debate on the Plant Breeders� Bill before Parliament.
He believed that her visit would help equip civil societies and other organised groups to intensify their campaign, especially against the Breeders� Bill for the sovereignty of Ghana.
Touching on the works of Dr Shiva, he said �Shiva�s record has been that of the totally committed, productive and effective activist, advocate, intellectual. As an activist, she has co-ordinated, supported and learned from grass-root networks on a wide range of issues across India.�
He said as an intellectual, Dr Shiva had produced a stream of important books and articles which had done much, both to form and address the national and international agenda of development debate and action.
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