GAEC reiterates call for nuclear energy
The Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) has called for funding for the introduction of the nuclear power generation into the country’s energy mix to become a reality.
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According to the commission, nuclear energy was one of the major energy sources in the world and its introduction would help address the acute power shortages currently confronting the country.
They indicated that with the country’s growing population, more energy was required to aid the industrial sector, as well as the general public for economic growth and nuclear energy would be more beneficial in that regard.
In addition, the commission called for the establishment of the Nuclear Regulatory Authority as soon as possible.
The Deputy Director of the GAEC, Dr Innocent J.K.Aboh PhD made the call in a presentation when the Parliamentary Select Committee on Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation paid a working visit to the commission last Thursday.
The visit
The visit was to help the committee members acquaint themselves with the activities of the commission.
Chaired by the Member of Parliament for South Dayi Consistuency, Mr Edem Asimah, the committee visited the tissue culture centre, the compost plant and the mechanical workshop facilities of the commission.
In his address, the Mr Asimah assured the commission that the committee would perform its constitutionally mandated obligations to help the commission achieve its role as an advisory body to the government on issues relating to nuclear energy in the country.
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Response to committee’s concerns
Responding to concerns raised by the committee on the security of the nuclear plant, especially with regard to tragedies that had befallen other countries and the shutdown of a nuclear plant in Germany, the Director of the GAEC, Professor Benjamin J. B. Nyarko, said Ghana was different from the other countries as security measures had been put in place to ensure the utmost security for the people of the country.
He said the project would be sited close to a major water body.
On availability of human resources for the commencement of the project, he said the commission had trained enough human resource for the project.
He indicated that if Ghanaians would depend solely on the discovered gas in the country to produce energy, the country would be out of the product in the next 10-20years and called for funding for the establishment of the project.
Other speakers
a Ranking Member of the committee, Mr Francis Addai Nimoh, said the commission had made numerous contributions towards the development of the Ghanaian society; however the public have little or no idea of their activities.
He advised that the commission made public their contributions to society to create awareness among Ghanaians.
Other appeals
The commission made an appeal to agencies and the government for ungent financial support to extablish the third radiotherapy and nuclear medicine centres at the Temale Teaching Hospital to help in the treatment of cancer cases in the country.
The Commission
GAEC was established by an act of parliament (Act 204, 1963) and later amended by Act 588 of 2000 to advise the government on issues relating to peaceful uses of nuclear energy in Ghana and advise the state on its obligations in the fields of nuclear energy, safety, security and environmental protection.
it would also encourage and promote the commercialization of research and development results through its institutes and finally ensure the development of the human resource base in nuclear science, biotechnology and related fields.
The commission currently offers support to industries in the field of energy, agriculture, mining, telecommunication, import and export, food and beverage, oil and gas, construction, health and water.