Zanetor Rawlings Sends Another Deep Message To Ghanaians

Environment, Science and Technology Minister Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings has called for a more coordinated and predictable regulatory framework to accelerate investment and innovation in Ghana’s biotechnology industry.

She said a well-defined regulatory system would help researchers, businesses and investors understand the requirements for operating in the sector while also ensuring that biotechnology applications are developed and used responsibly.

Dr Agyeman-Rawlings made the remarks at the launch of the 2027 BBExpo, where she stressed the importance of creating an environment in which biotechnology enterprises can make investment and research decisions with greater certainty.

According to the Minister, building a strong biotechnology industry goes beyond providing funding and scientific expertise. She noted that regulatory agencies must also collaborate effectively and clearly define their respective responsibilities.

She said investors and researchers should be able to determine which agencies are responsible for different stages of the approval process, what supporting evidence and documentation are required, and how long regulatory decisions are expected to take.

Dr Agyeman-Rawlings warned that a lack of clarity in these areas could result in delays, raise investment risks and ultimately discourage businesses from entering or expanding within the biotechnology sector.

She argued that regulation should be designed to support responsible innovation rather than create unnecessary barriers.

The Minister said the major concern for investors was not necessarily the existence of strict regulatory requirements, but uncertainty over how those requirements would be interpreted and implemented.

She called for Ghana’s biosafety framework to provide clearly defined procedures and consistent standards, allowing regulatory decisions to be transparent, evidence-based and applied uniformly.

At the same time, she said the regulatory system must reassure the public that potential risks associated with biotechnology—including those affecting human health and the environment—are properly evaluated, communicated and managed.

Dr Agyeman-Rawlings said greater regulatory predictability would therefore benefit both industry and the wider public by creating confidence in Ghana’s biotechnology ecosystem while maintaining appropriate safeguards.

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