Commissioning of National Radioactive Waste Storage Facility

Ghana Government through the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) in collaboration with the United States Government through the United States Department of Energy (DOE) is commissioning a central source storage facility on the premises of GAEC on Monday, 12th September, 2011.

Office of Global Threat Reduction (GTRI) under the DOE is involved in the initiative to improve the security of radiological sources in Ghana. Radioactive sources are used in the Ghana in the industries, agricultural research, medical facilities, and education and training institutions. Therefore, control and accountability of these sources is important for our safety, health and security reasons. Through the GTRI of DOE the physical protection upgrade for the central source storage facility on the premises of GAEC has been completed.

Emergency Operations Directorate under the DOE is also assisting Ghana to develop the core elements of a nuclear/radiological emergency response programme. The emergency response programme is going to enhance effectiveness of emergency management system and to enable sharing of information, data and resources and exchange of views with all relevant emergency stake holders in the country.

The chairman for the occasion will be Prof. Cyril Schandorf, a lecturer of the Graduate School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences (SNAS). The welcome address will be given by Prof. Edward H. K. Akaho, Director General of GAEC. Mr. Tim Horgan, a representative of DOE, United States of America will give his address on behalf of DOE. The Unites States of America’s Ambassador to Ghana, His Excellency Donald Teitelbaum will also give some remarks. Finally, the keynote address will be given by Hon. Sherry Ayitey, Minister for Environment Science and Technology.