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Ghana has officially approved its first genetically modified (GM) seed for cultivation, the Pod Borer Resistant (PBR) cowpea, following months of rigorous scientific and safety testing.
The National Biosafety Authority (NBA) confirmed that the PBR cowpea is the only GM seed currently cleared for planting in Ghana. Principal Biosafety Officer, Kwesi Anderson, dismissed circulating rumours that several GM varieties had been approved.
“There are rumours that the NBA has granted permits for 14 varieties, but those permits cover only grains for food, feed, and processing, not for planting. The only GM seed approved for cultivation is the PBR cowpea,” he clarified.
The PBR cowpea, developed by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in collaboration with local and international partners, is designed to resist destructive pod borer pests. Farmers and breeders say the variety reduces pesticide use, cuts costs, and significantly boosts yields.
“I had a bumper harvest this year with the PBR cowpea. I spent less on chemicals and still got better yields,” said Kwabena Yaw James, a farmer and out-grower.
At a demonstration field in Nyankpala in the Tolon district, Dr. Flora Christine Amagloh, a food scientist at CSIR–SARI, assured that the GM variety retains the same nutritional value as conventional cowpea.
“The genetic modification has not altered its protein, vitamins, carbohydrates, or mineral content; it is still safe and healthy to consume,” she said.
Also known as Songotra T, the PBR cowpea was officially launched in July 2024 and is being hailed as a major breakthrough for Ghana’s agriculture, with the potential to improve food security and support smallholder farmers.
