The Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) is repositioning its media engagement strategy to support a more business-friendly narrative around agricultural biotechnology, with the ultimate goal of attracting investment, scaling innovation, and improving food security across Africa.
In a recent engagement with Ghanaian journalists in Accra, OFAB Ghana and OFAB Africa officials unveiled a refreshed version of the OFAB Media Awards, now called the OFAB Media Awards Scheme (OMAS), designed to encourage more accurate, science-based reporting on biotechnology. This shift, they said, is critical to correcting public misconceptions and creating a supportive environment for commercial biotechnology adoption.
“Through these media engagements, we aim to enhance the quality of agricultural biotechnology reporting, which is crucial for policy direction, investor confidence, and public buy-in,” said Enoch Illori, Project Officer at OFAB Ghana. “The more informed the public and stakeholders are, the more conducive the ecosystem becomes for investment and technology uptake.”
Backed by the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), OFAB has been instrumental in shaping the dialogue around genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and biotechnology applications in farming. With Ghana and several African countries still grappling with food import bills, climate shocks, and low agricultural productivity, officials say the role of media in shaping biotech acceptance is more important than ever.
Verenardo Meeme, OFAB Programme Officer at AATF, noted that the revamped OMAS introduces a new online journalism category and expands eligibility beyond the initial 10 OFAB countries to the broader African continent. This move is intended to tap into the increasing influence of digital media and attract a wider network of reporters capable of driving regional conversations around agri-tech investment and policy reform.
“Biotech innovations can offer solutions to Africa’s food and farming challenges, but misinformation and lack of public understanding often block regulatory progress and investor interest,” Meeme explained. “We believe trained journalists can play a crucial role in unlocking the sector’s business potential by presenting clear, factual stories that bridge the gap between science, policy, and enterprise.”
The engagement also served to introduce a continental campaign encouraging journalists to work closely with scientists and research institutions, gaining access to verified data and biotech innovations. OFAB plans to build a network of trained media professionals who can champion agribusiness development through accurate reporting and public education.
Industry observers have long argued that without enabling media support, Africa’s biotechnology sector could miss out on billions of dollars in potential investment, particularly in areas such as improved seed development, pest-resistant crops, and climate-smart agriculture.
By investing in journalism capacity building, OFAB aims to create a multiplier effect, one where better reporting leads to better understanding, which in turn drives better policies and greater private sector involvement.
“This isn’t just about awards—it’s about shaping Africa’s biotech narrative to unlock growth,” Illori said.
