By Bernice Bessey.
The Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) says 30 per cent of its land size meant for research and development into energy has been encroached upon by private estate developers.
Dr. Innocent J. K. Aboh, Deputy Director-General of the Commission says if nothing immediately done by government to fence off the commission and protect its land, the encroachment would pose serious threat to their operations in the near future.
He said the Commission would not have enough land to develop and research in areas relevant to national development.
Dr. Aboh made the call when the Parliamentary Select Committee on Environment paid a working visit to the Commission last week.
The commission is made up of National Nuclear Research Institute (NNRI), Radiation Protection Institution (RPI), Biotechnology and Nuclear Agriculture Research Institute (BNARI) and Graduate School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences (SNAS).
The rest are Radiological and Medical Sciences Research Institute (RAMSRI) and Ghana Space and Technology Institute (GSSTI).
He said that some chiefs and land guards occasionally attack the Commission to release the land back to them.
He even cited an instance where the commission was attacked by some chiefs, because the latter had partnered with Zoomlion Waste Management Company to setup a scientific and environmentally friendly E-Waste dismantling centre to control e-waste in the system.
He said the e-waste edifice could not materialize because of threat by chiefs and land guards.
He warned that apart from Agbogloshie, which is known for inappropriate dismantling of e-waste, other areas have also emerged in the capital, which is dangerous to the health of the people.
The Deputy Director-General further said GAEC has collaborated with the Water Research Commission (WSC) and Water Research Institute (WRI) to undertake both surface and ground water projects in Ghana, using both conventional and isotopic technique for the Densu basin, Central and the three Northern regions.
He indicated in an earlier briefing session that the Commission has been very active in the promotion, development and utilization of the peaceful application of nuclear and biotechnological techniques, for economic and social advancement of Ghana, since its establishment in 1963.
Its primary objectives were set out by the Parliamentary Act 588, which involves investigating the use of nuclear energy for Ghana and supporting research and development, both in Ghana and abroad.
In the area of education and training, a regional centre of Excellence has established the Graduate School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences to train the human resource needs for the sub-region.
The Director appealed to the law makers to assist the GAEC to raise funds to fence the commission and purchase power generating plant to support their operations during times of electricity outages.
Professor Benjamin Jabez Nyarko, Director-General of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, appealed to the Select Committee to devote much attention to pushing the Nuclear Regulation Bill, which was yet to be approved and passed by Parliament.
He said the Commission requires the Bill to attain further certification from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to be able to vigorously pursue its Nuclear Power Programme.
The Commission, he said, has a current total staff strength of about 530, which comprises research scientists, technical, administrative and supporting staff.
Mr. Asimah, Chairman of the Select Committee, gave the assurance that the Committee would devote time to look critically at the Nuclear Regulatory Bill before the House.
He said it would also engage experts of the Commission in further discussions on the Bill, in order to gain deeper insight and understanding to enable it advance a better argument on the floor of the House, for its passage.
The Committee also took quality time to tour the commission’s Tissue centre, Mutation Breeding, decompose plant and Gamma Irradiation facility.