This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

201650Z Dec 04

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ACCRA 002515 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE/OES/ETC H. LEE 
STATE/EB/TPP/ABT R. SINGH 
USDA/FAS/BIG JP PASSINO 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SENV ETRD EAGR EAID TBIO GH
SUBJECT: GHANA'S RESPONSE TO CARTEGENA PROTOCOL ON 
BIOSAFETY: GETTING READY FOR ROUND 2 
 
REF: A. REF A SECSTATE 259661 
 
     ¶B. REF B ACCRA 01543 
 
¶1. This cable provides an update of the Government of Ghana's 
(GoG) biosafety activities in 2004 in response to Ref A. 
Post has electronic copies of the below-referenced Biosafety 
Bill and Biosafety Guidelines and can forward them to 
interested parties upon request. 
 
¶2. In July 2004, the GoG hosted a National Stakeholder 
Workshop to discuss the final draft components of the 
National Biosafety Framework for Ghana (Ref B).  The GoG has 
since submitted the document to UNEP/GEF - the first of 39 
African countries to complete it.  This will form the basis 
of future biosafety regulations. 
 
¶3. USAID has developed a Program for Biosafety Systems - a 
global program with West African regional components.  USAID 
in Washington awarded management of the program to IFPRI 
(International Food Policy Research Institute), which will be 
working with Ghana to develop policies, training and details 
that will support the GoG's biosafety legislation. 
 
¶4. Minister of Environment and Science Kasanga is currently 
reviewing the draft Biosafety bill and will soon seek Cabinet 
approval, after which the Attorney General will submit it to 
Parliament for approval.  When implemented, the Bill will 
establish the National Biosafety Authority to process 
applications under the Act.  The draft bill delineates the 
following: 
 
Application for Contained Use 
------------------------------ 
¶5. For applications for contained use, a person shall not 
conduct a contained use activity involving genetically 
modified organisms (GMO) without the written approval of the 
Authority. At least 60 days prior to activities, an applicant 
must submit an application including the location of 
activities; the nature and identity of the GMO involved; the 
nature and purpose of the activities including storing, 
producing, transporting, processing, disposing; a description 
of the potential risks associated with the activity and the 
remedial measure to be undertaken for unintentional release 
and at the activity end. 
 
Application for Import or Introduction into the Environment 
--------------------------------------------- ----------------- 
¶6. A person or organization intending to introduce a GMO into 
the environment or import or place a GMO on the market must 
first obtain the written approval of the Authority.  An 
application must be submitted to the Authority providing the 
following information: name and identity of GMO and domestic 
classification of the biosafety level of the GMO in the 
country of export; intended date of transboundary movement; 
taxonomic status and technical names, identifier, 
transformations code or event, point of collection or 
acquisition and characteristics of the recipient organism or 
paternal organism related to biosafety; center of origin and 
center of genetic diversity, of the recipient organism and 
the parental organism and the description of the habitat 
where the organism is related to biosafety; common name, 
point of collection or acquisition and characteristics of the 
modification introduced, the technique used and the resulting 
characteristics of the GMO; intended use of the GMO and the 
products of the GMO; quantity or volume of the GMO to be 
transferred and released; the appropriate risk assessment 
report; suggested methods for the safe handling, storage, 
transport and use, including procedures for unintentional or 
accidental release; and a sworn declaration of the applicant 
that the above mentioned information is factually correct. 
 
¶7. The applicant must also complete a risk assessment that 
entails identification of any of the genotypic and phenotypic 
characteristics associated with GMO that may have an adverse 
effect on the environment.  The risk assessment must also 
include the following: an evaluation of the likelihood of 
these adverse effects being realized, taking into account the 
level and the kind of exposure of the likely potential 
receiving environment of the GMO; an evaluation of the 
consequences should these effects be realized; an estimation 
of the overall risk posed by the GMO based on the evaluation 
of the likelihood and consequences of the identified adverse 
effects being realized; a recommendation as to whether or not 
the risks are acceptable or manageable, including 
identification of strategies to mange the risk; and where 
there is uncertainty regarding the level of risk, the 
governing body of the Authority (the Board) created by the 
bill may request further information on the specific issues 
of concern or may recommend appropriate risk management 
strategies and monitoring of the GMO in the receiving 
environment. 
 
Other Tenets 
------------- 
¶8. A person or organization intending to transport a GMO 
through Ghana, but which is not destined for use in Ghana, 
must apply for written approval to the Authority. 
 
¶9. The Authority may exempt a GMO from certain requirements 
above where it is satisfied that sufficient experience or 
information exists to conclude that the GMO or activity does 
not impose a significant risk to the environment.  In 
reaching its decisions, the Board can take into account 
relevant comments submitted by the public and socio-economic 
considerations arising from the impact of the proposed 
activity and the GMO on the environment.  The Board shall 
communicate its final decision to the applicant within 270 
days from receipt of the application. 
 
¶10. Please contact woodringse@state.gov for copies of the 
documents referenced. 
LANIER