Accra, Dec. 1, GNA - Ms. Sherry Ayittey, Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, on Tuesday urged the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) to examine the long term vision of generating electricity from nuclear energy.
"This is important in view of the big challenges we have as a nation in supplying enough electricity to power our industries as well as meet the ever increasing domestic demand," she said. Ms. Ayittey made the call when inaugurating the 15-member Board of Directors of GAEC in Accra.
She stressed the need to develop structures and the human resource capacity necessary to promote and expand the peaceful uses of nuclear energy in the country.
The functions of GAEC include making proposals to government for legislation in nuclear radiation, encourage and promote the commercialization of research and development results through its institutes.
Others are; engage in research and development activities as well as the publication and dissemination of research findings and other technical information.
Ms. Ayittey advised the board to assist the commission to promote innovation in seed production and preservation of farm produce using nuclear energy to assist farmers and said: "Our farmers need such support to be able to help the country achieve food security in the face of adverse effects of climate change on agriculture globally".
Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Deputy Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, urged the board to expand the use of nuclear technology in health delivery as it was being done with the treatment of cancer and related diseases.
He specifically requested that such facilities be expanded to Tamale General Hospital to serve patients in northern Ghana.
Dr. Samuel Kojo Dapaah, Chairman of the Board, said they would assess the capabilities and future needs of GAEC to maximize the use of available infrastructure and expertise in the commission such as nuclear and biotechnology to assist Ghana in her march towards national self sufficiency in food and agriculture, human health and nutrition and industry. "The Commission shall continue its efforts to provide access to nuclear medicine, radiation therapy and other methods of cancer control including early diagnosis and treatment," he said.
Other members of the board are: Professor Walter Alhassan, Professor Alexander Nyarko, Professor Frank Obed Kwami, Professor Francis Allotey, Professor Albert Fiadjoe and Professor Edward Akaho. 1 Dec. 09
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