The Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, has called on the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) to establish robust human oversight and governance mechanisms for its proposed Artificial Intelligence (AI) Data Centre to safeguard sensitive nuclear information and prevent the misuse of emerging technologies.
She warned that the integration of artificial intelligence into nuclear-related operations must be accompanied by effective safeguards to ensure that critical systems remain under human control.
Speaking during a working visit to the Commission on October 9, 2026, Dr Agyeman-Rawlings stressed that Ghana must not rush into adopting advanced technologies without putting the necessary legal, institutional and technical protections in place.
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“I don't know about you but personally, I wouldn't want AI in charge of my nuclear power programme,” she said.
The minister cautioned that feeding sensitive nuclear data into AI systems without adequate safeguards could expose the country to risks that may be difficult to manage.
She therefore urged GAEC to incorporate human governance into its proposed AI initiative, stressing that the country must carefully assess how emerging technologies are deployed and controlled.
“There should be a human governance aspect of AI. And we should look at how AI is kept in check and subject to human control,” she stated.
Dr Agyeman-Rawlings’ concerns come as Ghana continues to explore the expansion of its nuclear technology capabilities, including the prospect of nuclear power generation. She maintained that investment in infrastructure must go hand in hand with the development and retention of highly skilled personnel.
The minister also raised concerns about the high attrition rate among specialised professionals within the scientific sector, calling for a comprehensive engagement with staff to identify the challenges driving experienced personnel away.
According to her, training professionals to the level required to contribute meaningfully to specialised fields such as nuclear science takes considerable time and resources.
She noted that it could take an average of 15 years to develop the expertise required for professionals to become fully productive in some of these fields.
“We should be doing our utmost best to keep such highly skilled persons within our jurisdictions,” she said.
Dr Agyeman-Rawlings stressed that Ghana’s ambitions in nuclear power development would require a workforce capable of supporting and managing the infrastructure being established.
She urged the Ministry and the relevant agencies to work together to identify practical measures to improve staff retention and strengthen the country’s scientific capacity.
Beyond AI governance and human resource development, the Minister called for greater public education on the work of GAEC and its affiliated institutions.
She observed that the Commission’s work affects several aspects of everyday life, including medical diagnosis and treatment, environmental monitoring, mining, water quality testing and radiation safety.
She particularly highlighted concerns about activities around mining sites and the need to educate communities about radiation exposure and the importance of respecting designated buffer zones.
Dr Agyeman-Rawlings said the public needed a clearer understanding of the potential health risks associated with living or operating within restricted safety zones, as well as the role of regulatory institutions in protecting public health.
She encouraged the Commission to improve its public communication efforts and make its scientific work more accessible to ordinary citizens.
The Minister said greater public awareness would help people understand both the responsibilities of scientific institutions and the role citizens can play in promoting safety and security.
The working visit formed part of Dr Agyeman-Rawlings’ engagements with agencies under the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology since assuming office.
During the visit, she toured facilities under GAEC and interacted with officials from the Commission to assess their achievements, operational challenges and resource needs.
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