Higher Education PS Collette Suda has advised the National Biosafety Authority to maximize the role of communication while executing its mandate.
Speaking at a Biosafety workshop for joint National Biosafety Authority’s Board and Biosafety Appeals Board at Maanzoni Lodge in Athi River on Tuesday, Suda said maximization of communication will make Kenyans get to understand the real meaning of biosafety.
“Biosafety and biotechnology terms are fairly new and therefore, the role of communication should be maximized so that Kenyans get to understand them,” said Sudi.
Sudi said the two-day training organized by National Biosafety Authority in partnership with the International Service for the Acquisition of Agribiotech Applications (ISAAA AfriCenter) and the Program for Biosafety Systems (PBS) was intended to enhance the Board’s skills on effective communication on regulatory processes and safety of biotechnology and its products, principles of message development on biosafety, regulatory process and biosafety decisions.
“The board will also get tips on how to relate with the media in delivering balanced and accurate messages on biosafety for the public. How to effectively use social media in communicating biosafety decisions will also be discussed,” said she.
“Recently, we received two important applications that may change the dimensions in the field of biotechnology. The applications for GM cotton and recently approved GM maize seeking to conduct open field cultivation presents an opportunity for us to test our system and communication skills,” said Sudi.
Sudi said the workshop had come at the right time when effective communication is the important key and voices of biosafety regulators are much needed in assuring and ensuring the public on Biosafety.
“I hope by the end of the workshop, you will have addressed challenges in communicating biosafety to Kenyans,” said Sudi.
Sudi urged the NBA Board, Management and the Authority staff to work extra hard arguing they are the backbone of biosafety in Kenya.
She said was pleased with the job of the Appeals Board that its presence is already being felt in Kenya despite being established only one year ago.
Sudi assured the two boards of her personal support and that of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.