Speech by Dr. Wilson Songa, The Agriculture Secretary ... - OFAB

Draft Speech By Dr Wilson Songa, the Agriculture Secretary, during 1 st
Anniversary Celebration of the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB)
In Africa held on Thursday, September 27, 2007 at the Jacaranda Hotel, Nairobi,
from 12.00 to 2.00 pm
Protocol
Ladies and Gentlemen
It is a great honour and privilege for me to have been invited to be with you today as you
celebrate the first anniversary of the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology in
Africa – Nairobi Chapter.
I may not seem like a frequent participant at the OFAB monthly meetings but I would
like to confirm that indeed, where I have been absent in person, I have, through my staff,
made up by wholesomely supporting this initiative to achieve its objectives, as I am also
a member of the Programming Committee.
Let me join those who spoke earlier in commending the progress made so far over the
past year. You have successfully forged ahead with what was but an idea when the Forum
was launched in September 2006. Over that year, we have seen the idea of OFAB grow to
gain prominence among its constituents and even within Government – especially my
Ministry.
It has grown into a venue that is akin to a fountain of knowledge on agricultural
biotechnology as those with knowledge on the subject avail themselves on a frequent and
pre-agreed time and venue for those seeking answers. My Ministry is a beneficiary of the
activities undertaken by OFAB and of the knowledge base that is within it, especially in
the area of biotechnology information dissemination.
The progress report read by Dr. Karembu of ISAAA and the vision for OFAB in Africa
as presented by Dr. Bokanga of AATF leave me in no doubt that this is an initiative that
is has a high level of commitment from the stakeholders and collaborating institutions
including key agriculture-based organizations.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
It is said that information is power and very few people can challenge that statement. This
is because there is an enlarging appetite for information even as sources of information
increase. This is probably because of the increasing complexity of the kind of issues that
we have to deal with on a daily basis that requires decisions and action at very short
notice. Perhaps the point we have reached now is not one of searching for information but
rather one of searching for credible sources of information.
Information is critical. It helps us build our knowledge and in turn our ability to weigh
issues; to critique and reason; to make choices and decisions and to take action in the way
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we do. Information helps our minds to select between and among conflicting issues and
to file away what it deems to be acceptable which in turn informs who we are today.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
It has also been argued that it is not information that shapes us but rather the knowledge
that results from information. This is the process of receiving and processing information
and converting the outcome into knowledge. That is usually an interesting discussion but
one that I would like to reserve for another day.
This is very critical in the area of biotechnology given the controversies surrounding it.
People need to be better informed so that they can make informed choices regarding
adoption and application of the technology.
That is why I am glad that OFAB has come at the right time to play a role in providing
stakeholders with an excellent forum to debate biotechnology issues. In fact right after
this meeting I am going to Chair the BioAWARE meeting which is expected to spearhead
biotechnology awareness creation nationally.
It is my sincere hope that the OFAB will be one of the outreach vehicles for BioAWARE
activities once they are commenced.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I am privileged indeed to be the one to unveil to the world newly-created Official OFAB
Website www.ofabafrica.org because I have proof that this will indeed be a credible
source of information for all of us.
Science and scientific information is about fact. Evidence Based results are what inform
scientists and it is what they seek from each other. It is fact that drives science. It is
therefore critical that decisions related to scientific matters are based on the most reliable
information which would be from those who have the facts on the matter and those would
be scientists.
Most of you scientists know that scientific claims are some of the most thoroughly
reviewed and critiqued claims before they are accepted and released as such. We
appreciate this process because it is through it that we earn credibility among our fellow
human beings. It is through it that we can stand in public and defend what we profess to
be the truth.
With this in mind, it therefore becomes very difficult for science to engage in emotive
communications. Issues of advocacy that aim at winning people’s hearts – even if reason
is elusive – are practices that science is unable to participate in. The language that science
knows is fact and evidence.
It is therefore my hope that OFAB and this new site we will launch today, will maintain
that spirit of being factual in its presentation of information for the sake of being a
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trusted, credible and worthwhile source of information. I would like to add here that I
have no doubt this Forum, its collaborators and organizers will ensure this is what we
present to those in search of information.
Indeed my experience and knowledge of the way OFAB has operated gives me great
comfort. It has grown to be what it had promised at its launch and more. At OFAB,
experts in the field of biotechnology and other complementary areas such as intellectual
property and legal issues come together to share knowledge while availing themselves to
those in need of their knowledge.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I have had a look at the site that I have been asked to launch and I must say it is a good
start to being a source of factual information for biotechnology related issues. I note with
great satisfaction the inclusion of a feedback mechanism, possibility for an E-forum and
provision for an E-newsletter which will provide for interactive discussions that will
enhance the information and knowledge on the site.
I have also noted the simplicity in design and presentation that will encourage its use and
accessibility. It is a site that has provided room for future growth as it develops and
becomes a force in information provision.
I am advised that plans are underway to include a user friendly directory of OFAB
participants and a French version. I am also advised that the activation of the E-forum
and E-newsletter will be guided by your feedback and by issues emanating from your
discussions. This will ensure that the information that you access will be relevant to the
issues you have identified as matters of concern and for further discussion.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I once again thank you for inviting me to be with you on this
special occasion. May I also wish AATF, ISAAA, the Programming Committee and you
the participants, all the best as you forge ahead and grow OFAB to greater heights.
It is now my humble duty to declare The Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology in
Africa Website officially launched and invite you all to make us of it.
Thank You
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