DG of International Atomic Energy Agency to visit Ghana

Accra, Jan. 18, GNA - The Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Dr Mohammed El-Baradei begins a three-day visit to Ghana on January 20 2005 during which he would hold talks with President John Agyekum Kufuor and witness the official inauguration of a Radiotherapy Centre at the Komfo Anokye Hospital in Kumasi.

A statement issued by the Ministry of Environment and Science on Tuesday said Dr El-Baradei would also hold high-level consultations with top-level Ministers of State and other Government officials.

The Vienna-based IAEA provided the equipment, training and expert services through the Ghana Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for the establishment of the two radiotherapy centres at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and the new one to be inaugurated in Kumasi.

Ghana was the third country from Africa south of the Sahara to become a member of the IAEA in September 1960 and she has since benefited from the Agency's Technical Cooperation projects including financial support of more than 123 million dollars.

The statement said Dr El-Baradei, an Egyptian, would be accompanied by Mr Ali Bonssaha, Head, Technical Department of Africa Section and Mr Kwaku Aning, Secretary of the Policy-Making Organs, both of the IAEA, Vienna.