IAEA, GEAC hold AFRA Regional training nuclear

Accra, Sept. 7, GNA - The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has agreed to assist Ghana to assess her national nuclear training and educational needs, Professor Yaw Serfor Armah, Deputy Director-General of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), said on Monday. He said by performing a Training Needs Assessment (TNA), its findings would provide the basis for the development of the National Nuclear Security Training Programme.

The Programme would focus on filling the gaps between the actual performances of personnel working in the area of nuclear security and the required competences and skills needed to meet the international requirements and recommendations described by the United Nations and the IAEA relating to nuclear security.

Prof. Armah was addressing participants at the opening of a three-day Africa Regional Cooperative Forum for Science, Technology and Research (AFRA) training course on Nuclear Security, Safety and Safeguards, which is jointly organised by the IAEA and GAEC. Participants from Ghana, Niger, Sudan, Egypt, Namibia, Zambia, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Republic of Congo and the Seychelles, would discus among other things, the main principles of nuclear security, safety and safeguards, and the role of state authorities in the implementation of these principles. Participants would also be informed about the IAEA requirements, recommendations and activities in these areas and further raise awareness on the need for comprehensive measures with regard to nuclear security, safety and safeguards. Prof Armah commended the IAEA for its commitment to nuclear safety and, lately, greater emphasis on nuclear security and for supporting Ghana in the establishment of a Nuclear Security Support Centre (NSSC) to build up the capacity for response to security related nuclear emergencies. He said the centre would also offer education and training of national and regional personnel to serve as a resource pool of qualified experts and equipment to undertake technical support missions within the region.

Prof. Armah explained that in Ghana it was the sole mandate of the Radiation Protection Board under the Legislative Instrument LI 1559 of 1993, to authorise, licence, inspect and control all activities and practices involving radiation sources, radioactive materials and X-ray facilities in hospitals and other industrial applications. He said it was important therefore for the Board to ensure that these dangerous materials were properly managed and freed from the reach of persons with malicious intentions. Professor Geoffrey Emi-Reynolds, Director of the Radiation Protection Board (RPB), called for support for the promulgation of a legislative instrument that would make the Board an independent entity, as required by the IAEA and other international standard authorities. He said currently the Board, which is to be the superior regulatory authority as far as nuclear security was concerned, operated under the GAEC, which was internationally unacceptable. Prof. Benjamin J. B. Nyarko, Director of Nuclear Research Institute, GEAC, said the challenge in respect to nuclear security, safety and safeguard was huge and required the involvement and support of all security agencies to ensure their total safety. He said the training would also build knowledge and expertise and prepare Ghana for its take-off plans of introducing nuclear energy as a complement to the hydro electric power supply. 7 Sept. 09