Ghana Minister: Harmonise Biotech Regulations to Attract Investment

• Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, Ghana's Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, urged harmonisation of biotechnology regulations to attract investment.
• Regulatory uncertainty, rather than strict rules, is identified as the primary deterrent for investors in Ghana's biotech sector.
• Ghana aims to become an African hub for vaccine development and manufacturing, with a target to produce its first local vaccine by 2027.
• The National Biosafety Authority (NBA) launched a Biosafety and Biotechnology Expo (BBExpo) for 2027 to promote regulatory clarity and public understanding.
• Ghana has existing biosafety laws, and the NBA approved the commercialisation of the nation's first genetically modified crop, Bt cowpea, in 2022.

A predictable and unified regulatory system is crucial for attracting the necessary investment to propel Ghana's biotechnology sector forward.

Ghana's Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, has underscored the critical need to harmonise regulatory frameworks governing biotechnology. This call aims to attract the substantial investment required to foster growth within the nation's burgeoning biotechnology industry. The Minister highlighted that while investors are generally prepared to comply with stringent regulatory requirements, they are often deterred by uncertainty regarding which institutions to engage with, the specific criteria for compliance, and the anticipated duration of approval processes.

Speaking at the launch of the Biosafety and Biotechnology Expo (BBExpo) in Accra, organised by the National Biosafety Authority (NBA), Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings articulated that regulatory clarity, rather than strictness, is paramount. She emphasized that a lack of clear guidelines and predictable procedures poses a significant impediment to investment, stating that uncertainty, not regulation itself, is the primary deterrent. The BBExpo, scheduled as a two-day event in 2027, is designed to convene a diverse group of stakeholders, including regulators, researchers, academic institutions, industry participants, investors, students, and farmers from across Ghana.

The expo's central theme, "Biosafety Regulation as a Catalyst for Biotechnology Investment in Ghana," reflects its core objective. Among other crucial topics, the event will focus on the responsible and safe application of biotechnology. Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings pointed out that biotechnology is already extensively utilized in agriculture, healthcare, industrial processes, and environmental management, urging Ghana to transition from merely consuming biotechnology products to actively developing and producing its own innovative technologies.

A predictable and unified regulatory system is crucial for attracting the necessary investment to propel Ghana's biotechnology sector forward. This is particularly vital as Ghana pursues its ambitious goal of establishing itself as a leading hub for vaccine development and manufacturing across Africa. The foundation for this aspiration has been laid with the establishment of the National Vaccine Institute, operating under the provisions of the National Vaccine Institute Act, 2023. This legislative framework is intended to bolster the nation's capacity for local vaccine research, development, and production.

Ghana has set an ambitious target to produce its inaugural locally manufactured vaccine by 2027. Achieving this objective necessitates a robust regulatory system capable of supporting such a significant undertaking. The Minister stressed that building a successful vaccine manufacturing hub extends beyond merely acquiring factories and equipment; it also demands a strong foundation of scientific expertise, resilient institutions, and a regulatory environment that instills confidence among investors, researchers, technology partners, and the international community.

The regulatory landscape for biotechnology and vaccine development in Ghana involves distinct yet interconnected responsibilities shared by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and the National Biosafety Authority (NBA). Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings called for enhanced collaboration between these two bodies to establish clear and streamlined processes for both researchers and potential investors. Ghana already possesses a foundational legal framework for biosafety, including the Biosafety Act, 2011 (Act 831), and the Biosafety Regulations (Management of Biotechnology), 2019 (L.I. 2383).

Illustrating the practical application of these regulations, the NBA granted approval in 2022 for the environmental release and subsequent commercialisation of Ghana's first genetically modified crop: the pod borer-resistant Bt cowpea. Mr. Eric Dei, the Chief Executive Officer of the NBA, further elaborated on the BBExpo's role, stating that it would also serve to address the limited public understanding of both biotechnology and biosafety regulations. He noted that some researchers remain insufficiently aware of regulatory requirements, while a lack of public insight into decision-making processes can erode confidence in the system.

Source: Original reporting via Ghanaian Times