The Radioactive Waste Management Centre (RWMC) is Ghana’s national centre for the safe, secure, and sustainable management of radioactive waste. The Centre plays a critical role in protecting human health and the environment from the dangers of ionising radiation. RWMC provides technical expertise, infrastructure, and regulatory support for the management of Disused Sealed Radioactive Sources (DSRS), radioactive materials from medical, industrial, and research applications, and Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM).

 

Vision

To become a centre of excellence in the safe, secure, and sustainable management of radioactive waste.

 

Mission

To develop national capacity and infrastructure for the effective management of radioactive waste, ensuring long-term protection of people and the environment while supporting the peaceful use of nuclear science and technology in Ghana.

 

Core Functions

  • Collect, transport, characterise, and store radioactive waste.
  • Condition and dismantle disused sealed radioactive sources (DSRS).
  • Develop decommissioning plans and provide technical services to facilities.
  • Conduct research on radioactive waste management and publish findings.

 

Impact and Achievements

  • Protects human health and the environment from the hazards of radioactive waste.
  • Provides Ghana with a safe, secure, and sustainable waste management infrastructure.
  • Builds national capacity in radioactive waste handling and disposal.
  • Supports regulatory compliance and strengthens Ghana’s nuclear safety framework.
  • Expanded and upgraded the Centralised Radioactive Waste Management Facility with international support.
  • Successfully retrieved and managed orphan DSRS sources in collaboration with the Nuclear Regulatory Authority.
  • Developed Ghana’s Borehole Disposal System (BDS) for DSRS, supported by IAEA and Canada.
  • Produced key technical reports on site characterisation, safety assessments, and engineering design.

RWMC offers specialised technical and commercial services to radioactive waste generators and regulatory stakeholders, including:

  • Collection, transportation, and secure storage of radioactive waste
  • Characterisation, dismantling, and conditioning of Disused Sealed Radioactive Sources (DSRS) in Categories 3 to 5
  • Development of decommissioning plans and safety assessments
  • Technical support for radioactive waste inventory and documentation
  • Training and practical exposure for postgraduate students and professionals
  • Support for IAEA workshops and national capacity-building programmes

 

Need expert support in radioactive waste handling? Explore our services or contact our team for tailored solutions.

  • Borehole Disposal System (BDS) Implementation – A national flagship project for the safe disposal of DSRS, supported by the IAEA and international partners.
  • Site Characterisation and Safety Case Development – Geological, hydrogeological, and geochemical studies to ensure long-term safety of the BDS.
  • Conditioning and Storage of DSRS – Engineering design and operational safety assessments for interim storage and future disposal.
  • Radiological Safety Assessments – Evaluating environmental and occupational exposure at the Centralised Radioactive Waste Management Facility (CRWMF).

Explore opportunities for collaboration.

RWMC operates the Centralised Radioactive Waste Management Facility (CRWMF) at the GAEC site, comprising:

  • Centralised Waste Processing Unit (CRWPU) for pretreatment, treatment, and conditioning
  • Centralised Waste Storage Unit (CRWSU) for secure storage of processed and unprocessed waste
  • Specialised equipment, including:
  • Survey meters and contamination probes
  • Characterisation tools and shielding equipment
  • Airborne monitoring systems and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
  • Lead blocks, stainless steel containers, and safety infrastructure
  • Radioactive waste characterisation and conditioning
  • Disposal system design and safety case development
  • Radiological risk assessment and environmental monitoring
  • Human resource development in radioactive waste management
  • Computational modeling of radionuclide transport and containment

Partner with us on innovative waste management solutions.

Radioactive Waste Management Centre (RWMC)
P. O. Box LG 80
Legon

Digital Address (GPS):
GE-257-0465

Phone:
Tel: (+233) 30 39 73 790
Tel: (+233) 31 22 98 049

Email:
rpi@gaec.gov.gh

Have a radioactive waste management inquiry? Contact our team for expert guidance and support.