AUDA-NEPAD-Assisted Ethiopian National Genome Editing Communication Strategy Drafting Completes
Dr. Olalekan Akinbo making his concluding remarks as participants complete the writing of the draft national genome editing communication strategy in Addis Ababa
By Mekonnen Teshome
Addis Ababa (December 9, 2022) : Genome-editing is a biotechnological tool that provides advanced techniques that enable scientists to do precise and efficient targeted modification of a plant or an animal genes to make the organism disease resistance, adaptive or resilient.
Knowledge Management and Programme Evaluation Directorate supervisor of the Centre of Excellence in Science, Technology, and Innovation, AUDA-NEPAD, Dr. Olalekan Akinbo said: “Genome-editing science is instrumental to realize ‘the Africa We Want’ where everybody is food self-sufficient and proud of being an African through accelerated agricultural transformation.
Dr. Olalekan made the remark today at the conclusion of a five-day Ethiopian national genome editing communication strategy writing workshop undertaken by Bio and Emerging Technology Institute (BETin) and financed by AUDA-NEPAD.
According to Dr. Olalekan, the national strategy writing workshop provided a platform for a cross-section of experts to develop a draft National Genome Editing Communication Strategy and Action Plan as well as to ensure effective stakeholder engagement which will be validated in the first quarter of 2023.
“Related to this objective, a set of core institutions forming a community of practice (CoP) shared experiences and best-practices, as well as key results of their initiatives in genome editing science, R & D, science communication and policy.”
He said that the continental project aims at developing a responsive draft National Communication Strategy for a consortium of six African countries: Burkina Faso, Ghana, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Zambia and Eswatini and unlimitedly expand further.
Speaking in connection with the successful conclusion of the drafting of the national communication strategy Ethiopian Bio and Emerging Technology Institute (BETin) Director General Dr. Kassahun Tesfaye also commended the relentless effort and commitment of the top Ethiopian biotech and media experts who took part in the drafting process and have come up with "a workable draft document" which will further improved and reviewed by professionals. He also extended his gratitude to all participants and the AUDA-NEPAD for supporting the writing process. The experts were in consultation and writing of the draft document for the last five days.
Ethiopian Bio and Emerging Technology Institute (BETin) Director General Dr. Kassahun Tesfaye addressing the concluding event of the national draft strategy document
The other representative of the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD, Dr. Woldeyesus Sinebo also at the occasion underscores the need for strong collaboration among all research and higher educational institutions working on biotech/genome editing in Ethiopia.
Dr. Woldeyesus also said that genome-editing systems have been utilized in a wide variety of plant species to characterize gene functions and improve agricultural traits and this should also be taken into serious consideration by all in Africa so as to bring about livelihood improvement among the people.
Participants of the strategy drafting and the CoP in their final resolution demanded for the refinement of activities on the draft Genome editing Communication Strategy by BETin by 31st December 2022 as well as the speeding up of the process for validation and adoption of the draft National Communication Strategy.
They also recommended for the solicitation of financial and technical assistance from pertinent local and international institutions including the government of Ethiopia and AUDA-NEPAD for the realization of genome editing sciences.
Genome-editing tools provide advanced biotechnological techniques that enable the precise and efficient targeted modification of an organism’s genome to boost agricultural productivity and tackle food insecurity.