Atomic security personnel released on bail

Accra, Jan. 24 GNA – The 32 security men and two officials of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), who were arrested on Tuesday for allegedly causing unlawful damage to the property of a Chinese construction firm are on bail.

The accused where arrested for destroying the property of Anaina International Company Limited at Kwabenya in the Greater Accra Region.

The Police did not give any reasons for the decision but an official of the GAEC said the Police had suspended the court action until further notice.

The two officials of the Commission who were arrested were Mr Felix Adeku, Head of Administration, and Major Samuel Kuleke (Rtd), Head of security of GAEC. Professor Edward Akaho, Director General of GAEC who was invited by Police has also been granted bail.

Earlier on hundreds of workers of GAEC besieged the Cocoa Affairs Court to show support for their colleagues who were arrested in connection with the demolition of the property of the Chinese company.

The workers some of whom wore red arm bands amidst singing carried placards some of which read: “Ghana Atomic Energy needs protection,” and “release our colleagues now.”

When their detained colleagues were released they hailed them and poured powder on them, signifying victory.

Prof Francis K. Allotey, a board member of GAEC who was at the court to sympathise with the staff and the security men of the Commission said lands at the GAEC was acquired by executive instrument and since that instrument had not been revoked “the lands still belong to the Commission”.

He said the Atomic Energy was an institution and that the arrest and the maltreatment of its staff and workers were not good for the country’s image internationally.

He said the breach of security at GAEC has implications for Ghana, explaining that if a terrorist group gain access to the facility they could create dirty bomb which could cause havoc to the society.

He said it was important that the State should give maximum protection to the Atomic Energy facility.

Prof Allotey also informed the media that the Deputy Director of the International Atomic Energy Agency based in Vienna Austria called to confirm the arrest of the staff as well as the security of the Commission.

This, he said is likely to affect Ghana’s research in Atomic Energy and allied sciences.