@article{gakpo_baffour-awuah_2024, title={The evolution of media reportage on GMOs in Ghana following approval of first GM crop}, volume={15}, ISSN={["2164-5701"]}, url={https://doi.org/10.1080/21645698.2024.2365481}, DOI={10.1080/21645698.2024.2365481}, abstractNote={Ghana's parliament in 2011 passed the Biosafety Act to allow for the application of genetically modified organism (GMO) technology in the country's agriculture. In a vibrant democracy, there have been extensive media discussions on whether GM crops will benefit or harm citizens. In June 2022, the state GMO regulator, the National Biosafety Authority (NBA), approved the country's first GM crop (Bt cowpea) for environmental release, declaring the crop does not present an altered environmental risk or a food/feed safety concern. This study identified 3 of the country's most vibrant digital news outlets and did a content analysis of all GMO stories reported 18 months pre- and post-approval to assess whether the approval changed the focus of GMO issues the media reports on. 91 articles were identified. The results show media reports on the likely impact of GMOs on the country's food security shot up after the approval. However, media reports on the possible health, sociocultural, and environmental impact of GMOs declined. We observe the media and the public appear interested in deliberations on how the technology could address or worsen food insecurity and urge agricultural biotechnology actors in Ghana to focus on that in their sensitization activities.}, number={1}, journal={GM CROPS & FOOD-BIOTECHNOLOGY IN AGRICULTURE AND THE FOOD CHAIN}, author={Gakpo, Joseph Opoku and Baffour-Awuah, Dennis}, year={2024}, month={Dec}, pages={16–27} }
 @misc{gakpo_hardwick_ahmad_choi_matus_mugisa_ethridge_utley_zarate_2024, title={The need for communication between researchers and policymakers for the deployment of bioengineered carbon capture and sequestration crops}, volume={8}, ISSN={["2571-581X"]}, DOI={10.3389/fsufs.2024.1329123}, abstractNote={Bioengineered/genome-edited carbon capture and sequestration (BE/GEd-CCS) crops are being developed to mitigate climate change. This paper explores how technology, regulation, funding, and social implications, could shape the development and deployment of these crops. We conclude that some of the technological efforts to create BE/GEd-CCS crops may work. Still, stakeholders must agree on generally accepted methods of measuring how much carbon is captured in the soil and its value. The regulatory space for BE/GEd-CCS crops remains fluid until the first crops are reviewed. BE/GEd-CCS crops have received considerable initial funding and may benefit financially more from other federal programs and voluntary carbon markets. BE/GEd-CCS crops may continue perpetuating social equity concerns about agricultural biotechnology due to a lack of oversight. We argue that stakeholders need to pursue a multidisciplinary view of BE/GEd-CCS crops that draw in varying perspectives for effective development and deployment. Communication is needed between researchers and policymakers involved in either developing BE/GEd-CCS crops or developing voluntary carbon markets. We argue for the start of a conversation both across disciplines and between researchers and policymakers about the development and deployment of BE/GEd-CCS crops.}, journal={FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS}, author={Gakpo, Joseph Opoku and Hardwick, Andrew and Ahmad, Jabeen and Choi, Jaimie and Matus, Salvador Cruz and Mugisa, Jill Dana and Ethridge, Sandra and Utley, Delecia and Zarate, Sebastian}, year={2024}, month={Jan} }