By Gloria Anderson
The African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) has called for stronger seed systems, policy continuity, and sustained investment to ensure Ghana fully benefits from its growing success in agricultural biotechnology.
Speaking in an interview with Gloria Anderson in Nairobi, Kenya, the Senior Manager of Agribusiness, Commercialisation and Policy at AATF, Dr Daniel Taylor-Willie, said Ghana’s achievements in biotechnology, particularly the release and adoption of the Pod Borer Resistant (PBR) cowpea, have positioned the country as a leader in agricultural innovation in West Africa.
He described the PBR cowpea, which is resistant to the Maruca vitrata pest, as one of the continent’s most impactful technological breakthroughs. “The PBR cowpea is already in the hands of farmers and holds high potential to deal with the Maruca pest problem,” he said. “This success was made possible through Ghana’s strong biosafety regulations and an enabling policy environment that supports the commercialisation of GM crops.”
Dr Taylor-Willie revealed that under the Alliance for Cowpea Initiative in Africa, AATF is currently working on a new, improved variety that provides double protection, one against Maruca pests in the field and another against Bruchid pests during storage. “That means we are protecting the crop both in the field and in the store,” he explained, adding that this second generation of biotech cowpea would further enhance yield, reduce post-harvest losses, and increase food availability across the subregion.
However, he cautioned that without strong seed systems and adequate financing, Ghana’s progress could slow down. “Developing a variety is one thing, but ensuring that it is available to farmers is another,” he noted. “After commercial release, the next step is to build a robust seed system ensuring that there are enough seed growers to multiply the seed from breeder level to foundation and certified seed.”
He disclosed that seed multiplication efforts had faced setbacks following the discontinuation of funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) but assured that steps were being taken to sustain momentum. “I can’t say the seed will be available tomorrow, but there are clear efforts to sustain what has already been achieved,” he said. “Seed is the foundation of agriculture. Without seed, no amount of policy or investment will make an impact.”
According to Dr Taylor-Willie, AATF’s stewardship system ensures that smallholder farmers remain central to the biotechnology value chain. “Cowpea is a self-pollinated crop, so farmers can replant it without major concerns,” he said. “We have a system that ensures that as farmers buy, replant, and reuse seeds, they are supported to maintain the trait’s effectiveness and continue to enjoy its benefits.”
He further emphasised that AATF’s approach is built on inclusiveness and partnership. “We don’t assume what farmers need; we work with them to identify their challenges and co-create solutions,” he explained. “The farmer is always at the centre of everything we do.”
Dr Taylor-Willie also addressed persistent misinformation and public agitation around genetically modified organisms (GMOs). He said resistance to new technologies was not unique to Africa and often stemmed from misinformation rather than science. “We foresaw this challenge and, as early as the 2000s, established the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) to educate the public,” he explained. “Through OFAB’s national chapters, including in Ghana, we have been deliberate in educating farmers, lawyers, judges, journalists, and the general public to dispel myths and misconceptions about biotechnology.”
Beyond GM crops, Dr Taylor-Willie said AATF continues to support Ghana through the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) programme of the African Development Bank (AfDB). Under TAAT, AATF leads two critical components, one focused on drought-tolerant, non-GM maize varieties and another on harmonising seed policies within the ECOWAS region to facilitate the free movement of certified seeds across borders.
He praised Ghana for its commitment to domesticating regional seed policies but said gaps remained. “Ghana has done well compared to countries like Liberia and Sierra Leone, but challenges persist in terms of budgetary support for national variety release committees and the need for stronger laboratory capacity for seed testing and quarantine measures,” he said.
Touching on broader food systems transformation, Dr Taylor-Willie highlighted AATF’s partnership with the Government of Kenya to pilot a home-grown school feeding model that integrates local agricultural production into national school meal programmes. “In Kenya, we are helping government design a sustainable and inclusive procurement system that sources school meals from local communities,” he said. “We are gathering data, supporting policy formulation, and co-designing a model that can be scaled across Africa, including Ghana.”
He noted that once fully implemented, the initiative could offer African countries, including Ghana, a more sustainable approach to linking agriculture, nutrition, and education. “The model creates demand for local produce while ensuring children are well-fed, which benefits both the economy and society,” he explained.
Dr Taylor-Willie concluded with a message of optimism for Ghanaian farmers, scientists, and policymakers. “There are enormous opportunities in agriculture,” he said. “With the right systems in place, strong seed infrastructure, supportive policies, and continued investment in technology, Ghana can not only feed itself but also become a net exporter of food to other parts of Africa. It’s only a matter of time.”
