Features

Social Media, a powerful tool for dispelling misconceptions surrounding GMOs

Published

3 years ago

August 1, 2023

/home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/IMG-20230831-WA0100.jpg&description=Social Media, a powerful tool for dispelling misconceptions surrounding GMOs', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">

/home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/IMG-20230831-WA0100.jpg&description=Social Media, a powerful tool for dispelling misconceptions surrounding GMOs', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">

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

Features

MPs, churches, bad dressing

Published

5 days ago

September 12, 2026

WeeklySpectator

GHANA’S Parliament is a peaceful one. The arguments on the floor of the House can be fierce, but the House doesn’t catch fire. Ghana’s democracy has passed the acid-test of constitutional pluralism, and her legislature is a model of democratic beauty others are learning from.

Sikaman Palava

Sometimes it is edifying following proceedings in Parliament and you are likely to catch the voice of Honourable Alban Bagbin in full flight. He doesn’t talk much. His English vocabulary does the talking.

Last week, I heard another MP talking on bad dressing, and I must congratulate him on his brilliant exhibition of vocabulary, delivered in Westminster tradition.

Such explosive delivery titillates the floor of the House and brings joy to members and Mr Speaker.

In the parliament of some countries, there is no need for such niceties. The floor of the House is regarded as a battle ground. Others, including lady members, see it as a boxing ring, where the spoken word is often jettisoned and supplanted with punches and upper-cuts.

PART-TIME

So the average parliamentarian trains part-time as a boxer, in case boxing skills will be needed in the House to iron out knotty points.

The ladies’ pedicure and manicure are carefully designed to fulfil a dual purpose. One is to showcase trendiness and the other is to scratch the faces of opponents in the House whether they are ladies or gentlemen.

Sometimes, the Speaker has to keep shouting and banging for well over 15 minutes as a recalcitrant MP dashes across and grabs the tie of another MP, thus precipitating a free-for-all brawl. Some MPs return home with a half nose, a missing left ear and a double forehead.

None of the offending parties is sanctioned because brawling in parliament is seen as a democratic process, since some MPs are so stubborn that only a sidekick to the ribs can mellow them. Meanwhile, a free-for-all is good exercise for the MPs, some of whom have grown too fat due to over-feeding.

Fortunately, the parliament of Sikaman has a civil democratic culture and debates get fierce but punches are not unleashed. For comic relief however, MPs do some break dancing once in a while.

When ROPAB was passed into law, some MPs caused a stir by bursting into song and dance. Mr. Speaker was be wildered, but obviously pleased that his announcement of the passage of the bill had brought joy to the House.

Others were not happy, though. The bill and the debates had caused them enough distress. As for the passage, it was like cutting their throats. They groaned in their hearts. No punches, no karate. That is democracy in its maturing stage. It is tempered with reason and civility. One day, it will be their turn to laugh and dance.

Now, the MP who spoke on bad dressing did a good job by all standards and added value to his delivery by going highfalutin. He wanted a law to be enacted against bad dressing, because it was not good for society.

What constitutes bad dressing? That is a very difficult question. Judging what is good or bad as far as dressing is concerned will obviously depend on the setting or context.

For example, going virtually naked on a holiday beach is considered good dressing. But when a man and his wife storm a church room in their birth-time suits (naked) the pastor and his deacons will surely take cover. It means a sartorial revolution has precipitated and only the Holy Spirit can hold tempers at bay.

STYLISH

In the streets of Sikaman, a lady with a very short skirt is admired by some as trendy and stylish. Others would think she is indecent and a bad influence. But the question that arises ultimately is this: Don’t people have the right to wear what they want to wear, so long as the unseemly parts of their bodies are not laid bare?

Certainly, nobody will go totally naked in the streets, unless the person is either in-sane or is a Black Stars supporter painted in the national colours. Even then, he’d be in what is called ‘pioto,’ with his ‘instrument’ well-positioned. That is called proper dressing.

So in the streets, this kind of dressing will be considered good or bad depending on the setting and the extent of exposure of the private parts (breasts, thighs, lower back, buttocks, etc).

Personally, I feel the churches should be very scrupulous about the dressing of those who go in to worship. The ushers should be tasked with ushering away badly-dressed worshippers. Incidentally, they are the worshippers who like the front pews, and the pastor is so distracted he can’t preach any meaningful sermon.

However, a law on dressing is something I won’t advocate, for the simple reason that, first, there is no clear definition of what is bad dressing and second, society must be left to evolve its own dress culture so that fashion and creativity in fashion design will not be stifle Any law to regulate dressing will kill such creativity.

This article was first published on Saturday July, 2006

Features

The body under siege: how long-term stress wears you down

Published

5 days ago

September 12, 2026

WeeklySpectator

Most people think stress is just in your head. When you feel overwhelmed, overworked, or emotionally drained, you might think you just need a good night’s sleep or a quick mental break.

However, science and biology show us something entirely different. Chronic, long-term stress is not just an emotion—it is a full-body physical condition. When you live in a constant state of survival mode, pushing past your limits without real rest, your body pays a very heavy physical price.

Here is a clear, step-by-step look at how ongoing stress physically breaks down the human body, explained simply.

Step 1: The endless flood of stress chemicals

What happens normally: When you face a sudden emergency, your body releases stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. They give you a quick burst of energy, speed up your heart, and help you react fast. This is a great survival tool for short bursts.

How stress breaks you down: If you never truly relax, your body never turns off that alarm. Your bloodstream stays flooded with cortisol and adrenaline day after day. Over time, having these chemicals constantly sloshing around acts like a slow poison. It damages your blood vessels, raises your blood pressure, messes with your metabolism, and even wears down your DNA, making you age faster.

Step 2: The silent internal fire (Chronic Inflammation)

What happens normally: When your brain senses danger or stress, it assumes you might get hurt, so it tells your immune system to cause inflammation (swelling and heat) to fight off germs and heal injuries.

How stress breaks you down: When stress lasts for months or years, your immune system gets confused and leaves that “fire” burning permanently. Instead of healing an injury, this silent internal inflammation starts attacking your healthy cells, joints, and organs. Over time, it paves the way for serious health issues, heart trouble, and total body fatigue.

Step 3: Turning your muscles into armor (Fascial Hardening)

What happens normally: Your body is wrapped in a web of strong connective tissue called fascia that holds your muscles, bones, and organs together. When you face pressure or trauma, that tissue automatically tightens up to protect you like a suit of armor.

How stress breaks you down: If you stay tense for years, that tissue never softens back up. It freezes in place, creating tight, painful physical knots (often called emotional lesions). Blood and oxygen can’t flow easily through those locked-up areas, leaving you stiff, aching, and physically unable to truly let go of tension.

Step 4: Burning out your body’s engine (Nervous System Overdrive)

What happens normally: Your nervous system has two main gears:

The Gas Pedal (fight-or-flight mode for dealing with emergencies).

The Brake Pedal (rest-and-digest mode for healing and repairing your body).

How stress breaks you down: Chronic stress forces your foot down hard on the gas pedal 24/7. Your heart beats faster than it should, your digestion shuts down, and your body is denied the deep rest it needs to repair itself. Eventually, your heart and nervous system run completely out of fuel from sheer exhaustion.

Reclaiming your health and sovereignty

Chronic stress wears you down slowly by keeping your body chemically toxic, inflamed, and locked-up in physical armour, and running on empty.

By understanding that stress is a physical breakdown rather than just a bad mood, you can stop glorifying endless endurance. It allows you to recognise when your body is screaming for a reset, helping you shift away from burnout and back toward true physical calm, balance, and sovereignty.

SKIP THE QUEUE, TAP THE NEWS