Features
Social Media, a powerful tool for dispelling misconceptions surrounding GMOs
Since social media has revolutionalised our way of communicating, access to information and how ideas are shared as compared to the past has changed completely. In today’s digital age, we cannot underestimate the power of promoting a good cause on the internet via social media handles such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Tik tok and You tube.
With features such as instant sharing, global reach, and diverse perspectives, social media platforms have become vehicles for sharing messages and promoting various agendas.
With social media’s immense influence and ability to connect millions of people, using it as a tool to increase awareness about Genetically Modified Foods and also to dispel the misconceptions about Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) would be a move in the right direction.
Social media interactions expose people to diverse perspectives and challenge their preconceived notions, leading to a greater understanding and recognition of different viewpoints, this open exchange of ideas on social media can tremendously help in dispelling misconceptions about issues, including GMOs.
Lots of negative reactions arose after Ghana approved its first GMO food known as the Bt Cowpea. Even before the approval, many individuals and groups such as the Food Security of Ghana (FSG) in May 2020 called on the government of Ghana to permanently ban GMOs and ensure it never gets introduced into the country’s food chain. According to FSG’s communications’ director, Mr Edwin Kweku Andoh, the organics of GMO had very harmful effects on humans, animals and farm lands and called on the public to reject it.
Considering how fast negative information travels, the message of GMOs supposed danger quickly went viral and has since put some fear in some members of the public who keep spreading the wrong message.
Some of the misconceptions about GMOs include the belief that consuming such foods could cause cancer and also misconceptions that farmers cannot save GMO seeds.
It is therefore important for all Ghanaians and organisations who mean well to leverage social media to increase awareness about the safety of GMOs. Due to the high number of young people on social media, educating the masses on GMO and Agricbiotechnology in general, will also contribute to the promotion of agriculture literacy in the country and Africa at large.
Promoting GMO education via Vlogs and films
Vlogs, the short terms for video blogs are online video content created and shared by individuals or groups to document their experiences, opinions or share information with their audience on the internet. With the advent of social media platforms and video sharing websites, vlogs have become easily accessible to people using the internet, therefore using this opportunity to share indepth factual knowledge about GMOs as often as possible, Agriculture enthusiasts, agronomists and any other person or group interested in educating the public on Genetically Modified crops will go a long way in changing the negative mindsets of people about GMO, which came about as a result of wrong messages being put across by some conspiracy theorists kicking against GMO. Ghana has around 8.8 million social media users, a number expected to increase in the coming years. Besides the growing usage of social media, the platforms, especially whatsapp, Twitter and Facebook are the most preferred by the country’s population. Also, most users are on the platforms primarily to keep in touch with friends and family, fill their spare time, get informations about happenings in the world or make new connections. For these reasons, they follow different kinds of accounts. Businesses and professionals also pay for their accounts to be promoted, when this is done, the accounts appear on the timeliness of people who do not even follow them and if a person finds any of these sponsores pages and develops interest in the messages being portrayed, they might decide to follow the account for more information. For this reason Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs), individuals and Corporate bodies who believe in the significance of GMOs must join in the good cause of using social media and the internet at large, to dispel all misconceptions surroundingGenetically Modified Foods. Traditional media must also join the good cause by publishing and sharing more stories on the enormous benefits of Genetically Modified crops on all their social media handles especially. In Ghana for instance, leading media houses in the country like the Ghanaian Times, Daily Graphic, Ghana News Agency (GNA), Daily Guide, Ghana Web, Joy News, Citi Fmand Televisioj, TV3, United Television and TV Africa have alrge following on their social media handles therefore if such media houses decide to promote agricultural literacy with more focus on the safety of GMOs on their channels and handles, it will also help counter the wrong claims groups such as the FSG are spreading about GMOs to create fear and panic among the public. A social media campaign on any activity needs much dedication amd consistency therefore leveraging social media to promote this cause with all the seriousness it deserves will produce expected positive results.
Some research findings on the relevance of GMOs
The major technologies that have an impact on pesticide use are genetically modified crops with insect resistance and herbicide tolerance, according to a study on the worldwide environmental effects of genetically modified crops by famous agricultural economist Graham Brookes. Since these technologies have been widely used for more than 24 years, the study found that the amount of active component used in pesticides has decreased by 748.6 million kg. The environmental impact of using insecticides and herbicides on these crops was further decreased by a more substantial 17.3% between 1996 and 2020, according to the report, as a result of this decline.
The study’s findings also demonstrated that farmers were able to transition from plow-based systems to lower fuel usage systems thanks to the widespread use of genetically modified crops.
In addition to the advantages for the environment, Brookes reported on the economic effects of genetically modified crops, stating that from 1996 to 2020, farmers who adopted such crops saw an increase in agricultural revenue of US$261.3 billion.
Given the significant economic progress being made in other regions of the world, Ghana may concentrate on actively promoting the use of genetically modified crops to boost its economy.
How the public influences policy implementation
Resistance from the public on certain policies could make governments reluctant to introduce certain initiatives that could better the lives of the populace therefore we must not sit back and allow a section of the public to keep using every means they have to send negative comments about GMOs when we can use social media to debunk such rumours
There are many positive facts about GMOs that could be disseminated on social media to downplay the misconceptions, therefore greater public sensitisation, using such platforms will undoubtedly help increase awareness about the safety GM crops.
BY RAISSA SAMBOU
THE state of feeling rejected, could be a terrifying experience especially for those who have become used to fame. If not properly addressed, it could lead to depression and the consequences, could be disastrous.
When you are on top of your game in whatever profession you find yourself such that you become famous, a lot of people try to associate with you. The phone never ceases to ring and one is tempted to feel loved and very important.
When a disaster strikes and the fame or the money which was the source of the attraction fades away, the circle of friends and fans begin to shrink and the phone will start to stop ringing until the call stops voting completely.
You will be shocked at how people you considered friends, will no longer be calling you or pay casual visits as they used to. You will begin to notice that messages you leave after calling them and not getting a response are not replied to and that is when you begin to know who your true friends are.
One of the most popular movie stars was an actress called Sharon Stone. In an interview with one of the media houses that was published, she spoke about how people who should have come around to encourage her in her moment of depression, shunned her. The calls stopped coming.
This is what the Bible admonishes that the arm of flesh will fail you and therefore we should put our trust in God. It could be a very frightening experience and can easily lead to depression.
Human nature being what it is, people will want to get close if things are okay. Everybody wants to associate themselves with interesting things, famous people, rich people etc for mainly selfish reasons.
We need to develop the habit of putting our trust in God and relying less on human beings. The lesson we have to take along in life is that, no one marries his or her enemy so how come people who took vows that they will love each other become so hostile to each other that they want to go their separate ways in life? Such is the reality of life.
It is therefore prudent for people to recognise that, life is full of uncertainties and so there is the need to prepare your mind for uncertainties so that when they occur, they do not disorganise your mental sanity.
A lot of people have experienced situations where people who they could have sworn will never betray their trust have disappointed them when they were through challenging moments.
If there is one thing famous people should desire, it should be the ability to identify who are true friends are. Countless stories abound regarding incidence of celebrities who have lost their shine and their wives divorcing them soon after.
It is sometimes useful as a famous or rich person to sign a prenuptial agreement before marriage to safeguard or protect yourself from any future unpleasant surprises.
People can be very pretentious these days, it goes both ways. There is this real life story where a man married a divorced wealthy woman and convinced her to sell her house so they could build a new one together, with the excuse that people are gossiping that he is being housed by a woman.
The woman agreed and they put up a new building. After a few years the man asked for a divorce, only for the woman to realise that the land on which the building was situated, was bought in the man’s name.
This can drive a person insane, if you are not mentally tough and this happens to you. When people hear that you are homeless, a lot of your so-called friends will stop calling, so that you do not become a burden on them.
By Laud Kissi-Mensah
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‘But, er …. I don’t even know your name’.
‘Paul. Paul Allotey. I’m Sarah, by the way. Paul, why don’t you leave me here, since this is the last important thing I’m doing today’.
‘Okay. Now Sarah. I was just thinking. You will be here at the cafe for about an hour. By then it will be about twelve thirty. Then, you would be thinking of buying yourself some lunch, to eat here or to take home. So if you would please allow me, I will take you to one of the nicest eating places in town, and after you have sorted that one out, then I can drop you home. Just that one errand, then I won’t bother you again’.
‘You are not bothering me at all. You are being very kind to me. And I just realised you are a mind reader too. The last item on my agenda was lunch’.
‘I’m so glad I appeared at your doorstep, just in time’.
‘Okay. Now Paul, since you say the cafe is a comfortable place, let’s go in together, and you can do your work while I get my application done’.
‘Okay, Sarah. Thanks. Let’s go’.
We got back in the car at eleven forty-five.
‘So where are we going, Paul?’
‘To Royalty restaurant. It’s a twenty minute drive away’.
‘So, do you enjoy your job?’
‘Most certainly. I won’t change it, not even to be President. And am I right to say that you are preparing to enter the university?’
‘That’s my plan. I hope it works’.
‘It will, if you are determined, and disciplined. You look very much like a disciplined person’.
‘Thank you very much’.
We arrived at Royalty in twenty-five minutes, ‘You are joining me for lunch, Paul’.
‘Thanks for the honour, Sarah. But the bill is on me’.
‘Aren’t you taking on too much for one day?’
‘I never do anything that is bigger than me, Sarah’.
Over the next hour and a half, we discussed fashion, local and international politics, and sports, as we ate and relaxed. Finally, he drove me to the shop.
‘I will never forget you, Paul’.
‘I’m glad to have been helpful. But if you don’t mind, I’ll say it again, your husband is extremely lucky. You are really beautiful’.
‘Thanks again. But do you mind if I call you sometime in the future?’
‘Certainly not. Let me write it here. I will not ask for your number, for obvious reasons. But I will be looking forward to hearing from you. And hopefully, I will see you next month, when I call to drop your bill’.
‘Okay Paul. See you then’. What a lovely day, I said to myself as I opened the front door. I closed the shop and got home by seven. I went straight to the bedroom, stood in the mirror and took a good look at myself. ‘You are a very beautiful woman, Sarah. Never forget that’. I will not forget that, again.
Over the next several weeks, Martin and I had very little to do with each other. In the morning he ate his breakfast and after a shabby ‘I’m going’, he left. He came home around eight at the earliest, ate his dinner and, already soaked in beer, went off to sleep.
He spent the greater part of the weekends at the club house with his friends, playing tennis and partying. My mind was focused on furthering my education, so I didn’t complain to him, and didn’t bother to inform my parents about what was happening. I had decided that I would only take action if he lifted his hand against me again. I spent my free time reading all manner of interesting stuff on the internet, and chatting with my sister on WhatsApp.
One evening, he came home at about eight, rushed to the bedroom and rushed out. An envelope, obviously containing money, dropped out of his pocket, and I picked it up and followed him. I was going to call him and give it to him, but I noticed that there was a young woman in the car, so I went back in, counted it and put it in a drawer in the hall. He came back after some ten minutes.
‘Excuse me, I dropped an envelope containing money. You must have seen it’.
‘Yes, I saw it. Actually, I followed you, and was about to call you and hand it over to you when I realised that there was a woman in the car, so I came back in. I counted it. One thousand cedis.
‘Well let me have it. I have to be going’.
‘I will let you have it if you will tell me who the woman in the car is, and why you are going to give her that amount of money’.
‘Listen, if you waste my time, I will teach you a lesson you will never forget. Give me the money now!’
‘Here’s what we will do, Martin. I know you will give money to her anyway, so I will give it to you, if you will withdraw the threat you just issued. But I want you to know that I will be taking some steps from tomorrow. Things are getting out of hand’.
‘Okay, I’m sorry I threatened you. Can you please give me the money’. I handed it over to him, and he ran out’.
The following morning, I waited for him to finish having breakfast, and told him I wanted to have a word with him urgently.
‘You better be quick. You know I’m going to work’.
‘Well, I want to inform you that I will inform my parents, and your parents, about the situation in this house. As I said yesterday, things are getting out of hand. You spend most of your time drinking. You get drunk every evening, and through the weekend. And you are also spending your time and money on a prostitute’.
‘How dare you? One more stupid word from you …’
‘Am I lying, Martin? You have just started life, yet you are behaving like a rich, elderly man who has already seen his children through university, and can afford a life of fun. As I said, I’m going to inform our parents. Maybe your parents can straighten you out before it is too late’.
‘Look, we can talk this evening. It’s nothing like what you are saying’. He walked away, shocked.
That evening, I was expecting to have a meaningful discussion with him, but his mother called early in the evening to offer me some ‘advice’. Her son had called to say that certain developments at home were disturbing him so much that they were beginning to affect his work.
And, ‘as a loving mother to her daughter’, she was advising me to submit to my husband, and support him in prayer, and not ‘drive him from home’. Men would always be men, and she was telling me ‘from experience’ that no matter how much time Martin stayed away from home, he would always come home to me.
She had been a young wife before, so she understood the challenges I was facing. So I could be assured that if I followed her advice, all would be well. And, of course, she didn’t allow me to tell my side of the story.
Martin came home very late, and very drunk. And from the next morning, he carried on as before. With some hesitation, I called my dad and told him all that had gone on.
‘Well, my daughter. I’m not going to say “I told you so”. I was only trying to protect you. So here’s what we’ll do. Continue doing the best you can, and try not to give him any excuse to harm you, but if things continue to deteriorate, I will take you back.
A couple of days later, my cousin Dinah arrived in Accra from Brussels, having completed her medical course. With Martin’s agreement, I went to Koforidua and spent a couple of days. I spent most of the time chatting about her experiences in the US, but we also discussed my relationship with Martin, and she endorsed Dad’s decision to take action if Martin’s behaviour did not change after two weeks Elaine informed Mom and Dad. We endorsed Dad’s decision to take action if there was no change in two weeks.
Dinah returned with me to Takoradi. Her plan was to spend a couple of weeks, and return to Accra to be posted. I called Paul Allotey, and asked if he would meet her for lunch and, if possible, show her some interesting spots. Delighted, he suggested that we meet at Royalty the next day.
I told Martin about it, to remove any possibility of future disagreement over ‘going out with men’.
‘It’s fine with me’, he said, ‘if, of all the people who could show your sister round this town, you chose a borla man. Doesn’t that indicate the kind of person you are?’
‘ First of all, Martin’, I’ve spoken to him a few times, and he comes across as a decent guy, so I think it is rather unfortunate that you are writing him off when you don’t know him’.
By Ekow de Heer
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