Kufuor’s cassava is safe -Aseidu Nkestia
Accra (Greater Accra) 25 January 2002 -, Mr Johnson Aseidu Nkestia, NDC-Wenchi West, on Thursday was the toast of the majority as he debunked a ravening theory that varieties of Cassava being cultivated under the Presidential Special Initiative (PSI) are unsafe for human consumption
In a rare show of patriotism, he lauded the initiative saying, "Doing politics with it will amount to touching the raw nerves of the majority of Ghanaians, especially those in the low income bracket."
Mr Aseidu-Nkestia, an agriculturist and a former Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, said every variety of cassava contain some form of toxic substance but research has proved that they are quite insignificant to harm humans even when consumed in its raw state.
"It is well-documented that the consumption of Cassava is associated with some level of toxicity due to the crop's ability to produce cyanogenic compounds stored inside the cells which could react with enzymes in the cell wall and capable of hydrolyzing those compounds to produce cyanide (HCN)."
He said:" As gas however, HCN does not accumulate in the cassava plant as is being claimed. Mr Aseidu-Nkestia said most researchers have concluded that cryogenic potential in cassava at 50 milligramme per 100 grammes is safe for consumption while 200 milligrammes per 100 grammes is considered too high and unsafe for consumption.
"In their raw unpeeled and unprocessed form, the cryogenic potential for the four varieties used in the PSI are Tekbankye, 44.22, Afisiafi, 13-25.5, Abasafitaa, 8.4-24 and Gblemoduade, 19.8-23.8."
He said due to the processing of root crop before it is eaten, the accumulation of toxic levels of cyanide is not possible. "Abasafitaa and Tekbankye, which is generally cultivated in the Akan area is more suitable for Fufu and Ampesi. Afisiafi and Glemouduade are more suitable for Gari, Aglema, Konkonte and others."
Mr Aseidu-Nkestia said cassava beats cocoa as it contributes 22 per cent of Ghana's Agricultural Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and would remain the single most important crop in the country.
Dr Kwabena Adjei, NDC-Biakoye, said,"this is typical of us (Minority) to make positive contributions to national development.When we see something good, we support it."
He asked that no Ghanaian or stranger living in the country be allowed to pursue his own parochial interest at the expense of national interest. Other members lauded Mr Aseidu-Nkestia for alleying the fears of Ghanaians.
GRi…/
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