The Director of the Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute (GSSTI) of GAEC, Professor Dickson Adomako, has disclosed that the Radio Astronomy Observatory at Kuntunse, a suburb of Accra is set to provide jobs for graduates in the areas of Space Science and Technology for the next 50 years.
The Radio Astronomy Observatory was inaugurated in August 2017. It is mainly for research into Earth’s solar system and space in general
Speaking on the importance of the radio telescope to Ghana, he indicated that the facility will help boost activities in the areas of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Engineering, Scientific tourism and Astronomy.
He added that the facility would also help students to effectively participate in Global research.
Prof. Adomako disclosed that, Ghana would soon embark on a mega space science project that will create employment for thousands of Ghanaians in the areas of Space Science and Technology. The project according to him is to be started in the year 2022 and expected to last for a period of 50 years.
“The project is to build three thousand (3000) smaller telescopes at 50 newly created base stations where it will be operated”, he added.
Responding to issues of safety, the GSSTI boss said that there is no cause for alarm since the facility receives signals that are not harmful to the public.
He advised students to take up Courses in Space Science and Technology at pure science-based universities such as the graduate School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences (SNAS), in order to tap into the employment opportunities to be created.
He stressed that the project will provide employment opportunities in the areas of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Mechanical Engineering as well as Software Chain Engineering which students must consider pursuing.
By: Thykingdom Kudesey / Office of Corporate and Public Affairs (OCPA) – GAEC
Ghana can expect nuclear energy as a major source of power production by 2029, as plans are far advanced to ensure the country diversifies its energy mix to meet projected demands, a source at the Ministry of Energy has disclosed.
“Government is also looking at the nuclear option. There is so much work being done on that front; so hopefully by 2029 or thereabouts, it’s possible we may have energy from nuclear sources as well,” the source said.
Following attempts to diversify the country’s energy mix with the introduction of solar sources, government is exploring the contribution of nuclear energy – having set up a Nuclear Regulatory Authority to spearhead the implementation of Ghana’s Nuclear Power Programme (NPP).
Already, the country has passed all 19 infrastructural requirements to be considered for the commencement of an NPP, which is the first of three phases required by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) before the development of a national infrastructure for nuclear power.
Speaking to the B&FT on the sidelines of a Petroleum Commission data management workshop in Accra, the source explained that as a result of increasing and projected demands on petroleum products to power our thermal plants for the provision of electricity, government is increasingly exploring alternate sources of energy to ensure that installed capacity is enough to meet peak demand at all times.
He added that the move will also avert reoccurrence of the power crises which hit the country between 2012 and 2016.
“Thermal and nuclear are both sources of generation, and the idea is that they need to complement each other. Our petroleum resources may need to be stepped-up otherwise we are going to have a decline in the production, so definitely government should have an alternative source of energy,” he said.
The source revealed that a lot has been done along with the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission to ensure the development of nuclear energy for power becomes a success.
Government, in its quest to find alternate sources of power, has already announced plans to scale-up the penetration of renewable energy in the system with a plan to hit 300megawatts of solar by 2020. For this reason, the Bui Power Authority has completed expansion works on its switchyard to accommodate 250MW of solar energy; a move which is in line with Ghana’s vision of increasing renewable energy to about 10 percent of the country’s energy-mix.
The exploration of nuclear energy as yet another alternative source fits perfectly in this agenda as traditional energy sources plateau, following projections from Ghana’s energy demands for the much-awaited ‘industrial revolution’.
With a possible contribution of about 1,200 megawatts per power plant, nuclear energy is therefore seen as a viable option in diversifying the country’s energy-mix to meet future demands.
The Deputy Director of the Radiation Protection Institute (RPI) of GAEC, Dr. Joseph Amoako, has cautioned the public over the negative impact of Radon gas inhalation on human health.
Dr. Amoako, who spoke in an interview, described the situation as worrying since the public does not know of Radon gas and its potential devastating effects on human health.
He described Radon gas simply as naturally occurring gas found in rock and soils. These substances are capable of causing lung cancer and other degenerative diseases in humans.
According to him radon gas is mostly emitted from underground, especially through tiny invisible cracks in the floor of buildings. He stressed the need for a law that that ensures radon gas concentration tests on particular sites before buildings are put up.
Responding to questions on how it affects unsuspecting victims, he explained that the radon concentrations become very high in a room that has been locked up for hours without proper ventilation, especially at locations that may have high radon concentrations. “So it is advisable to open your doors and windows to allow natural ventilation to take place before you turn on the air-conditioners or funs”, he added.
He furthered explained that this practice can reduce the incidence of lung cancer and other infections attributed to the inhalation of radon gas.
Dr. Amoako stressed on the need for a national policy that regulates the monitoring of radon gas levels before buildings are put up at various locations across the country.
“Unlike other developed countries around the world, checking for Radon levels at building construction sites in Ghana is voluntary. It is compulsory for estate developers in other countries so Ghana must encourage it”, he added.
He called on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Scientific Institutions and the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to work on a regulatory framework that will ensure that strict radon gas testing procedure is adhered to before building construction works begin.
By: Thykingdom Kudesey / Office of Corporate and Public Affairs (OCPA) – GAEC
The National Nuclear Research Institute (NNRI) of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) has called for the use of Non Destructive Testing (NDT) Technology in industry to avoid potential disasters.
Director of Institute, Dr. Gorman Ofosu said the solution to the incessant gas and fuel station explosions in the country to some extent lies with NDT technology.
Speaking at a forum last Wednesday at the Ghana Institute of Engineers and Planners in Accra to introduce NDT technology to some engineers and key industry stakeholders, he threw light on unprofessional practices in the sector.
According to him, most artisans especially welders are not privy to NDT technology to test the integrity of their welds which exposes the public to danger.
He disclosed that aside from outreach programmes organized by his outfit to educate field experts, GAEC’s Technology Transfer and Marketing Centre (TTMC) are also working to spread the word.
This is being done in collaboration with COTVET and support from the Dutch Government, is currently running a Competence Based Training Programme (CBT) for artisans in some professions including Welding, across the country with emphases on NDT Technology.
Dr Ofosu was confident that the risks associated with the conventional method will be reduced through consistent education of artisans and experts in the industry.
A former Deputy Director of NNRI-GAEC, Dr Kweku Aboagye Danso, said that NDT is a nuclear application used to detect hidden cracks and leakages in gas pipelines, fuel tanks, aircrafts and Mining installations among others.
According to him, the technology has a proven high level of efficiency for the early detection of leakages and corrosion in underground and surface pipelines. This, he said, will help avoid disasters as a result of leakages.
He advised that precautionary measures are taken to manage the situation since cracks and rust in tanks and pipelines are not easily identified.
A Senior Research Scientist, Dr Hannah Affum of GAEC also stated that the Commission is well positioned to meet the quality assurance and control as well as materials testing needs of Ghanaian processing and manufacturing industries.
The five years Corporate Strategic Plan (CSP) of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) has targeted improvements in the Health and Agriculture sectors in Ghana.
The CSP that will be GAEC’s strategic operational document till December 2021 as part of it’s focused areas will facilitate the Establishment of Strategic National Facilities and Institutions.
The Director of Administration at GAEC, Mr. Felix Adeku in an interview disclosed that the commission would see to the building and supply of state-of-the art equipment for a Radiological Emergency Centre (REC) at GAEC as per the CSP’s objective. He added that the Commission would facilitate the construction of a Radiotherapy and Nuclear Imaging Facility at GAEC.
‘GAEC would also facilitate the building of two Radiotherapy centers in Tamale and Takoradi.’ He revealed. This he said would help give a major boost to the health sector of Ghana as far as the treatment of cancer and other related diseases are concerned.
Addressing some key challenges in Ghana’s Agriculture sector, Mr. Adeku disclosed that the Commission would enter into Public Private Partnerships (PPP) to establish a Gamma Irradiation Facility for food preservation against post-harvest losses. He added that the facility would also be used for sterilizing medical equipment in those key locations in Ghana
On his part, the Director General (DG) of GAEC Prof. Benjamin Nyarko is optimistic that the CSP will encourage the development and management of high-level human resource at all levels by providing training and education in nuclear and allied sciences for national development.
According to the DG, GAEC is in a process of upgrading the graduate School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences (SNAS) to a fully-fledged University to intensify training within the five-year period.
Finally, he appealed to the President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to grant SNAS a presidential charter to enable it run as an autonomous University that undertakes Nuclear Science and Technology in Ghana.
By: Thykingdom Kudesey / Office of Corporate and Public Affairs (OCPA) – GAEC
The Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) has equipped officers of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), (Air Force Division) with skills on Non – Destructive Testing (NDT) techniques to ensure quality in the discharge of their duties.
The training programme that was spearheaded by the GAEC Technology Transfer and Marketing Centre (TTMC) hosted ten (10) participants from the Armed Forces. It is part of a comprehensive approach to improve quality and reliability in the inspection of welded materials within the oil and gas, mining and manufacturing industries in Ghana.
Engineers, Managers, Supervisors, Quality Control administrators, Condition Monitoring Technicians, Engineering Technicians, and individuals who see to the maintenance of plants and equipment were the main targets for the programme.
Aside from officers from GAF, staff from Providence Industrial Services limited and other individuals were part of the 5 day intensive training programme.
The participants were taken through techniques including; Penetrant Testing, Magnetic Particle Testing, Alternative Ultrasonic Testing and Radiographic Testing.
The Director of the National Nuclear Research Institute (NNRI) of GAEC, Dr. Francis Gorman Ofosu, noted that the training programme was part of an agenda to improve quality service delivery as well as skills within the NDT industry nationwide.
He added that the training of engineers and technicians would soon be intensified across the country.
Dr. Ofosu advised engineers form the Air Force to take advantage of the knowledge acquired to do a thorough Non – Destructive Testing on their aircrafts before they take off.
Sharing his experience from the training programme, the leader of the trainees Squadron Leader Saah Ampene of the Ghana Air force expressed joy at the high level of knowledge acquired in NDT applications.
He advised that enough Public awareness be created through the media (electronic and print), to encourage the participation of all relevant industry players in the country.
He was confident that imparting this skill to the professionals will help transform Ghana’s engineering and welding sector.
The leader expressed gratitude to management and promised to return for more when the opportunity avails itself.
By: Thykingdom Kudesey / Office of Corporate and Public Affairs (OCPA) – GAEC
The Director of Administration at the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), Mr. Felix Adeku, has stated that the Commission’s Competent Based Training (CBT) Programme to equip informal sector workers is in line with the president’s vision for job creation.
The Director disclosed this in his address at the opening ceremony of the second edition of the CBT programme for vocational workers in the area of Electronics.
The progrmme is held in partnership with GAEC Technology Transfer and Marketing Centre (TTMC) and the Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (COTVET) with support from the German Government.
Speaking on some core functions of GAEC, Mr. Adeku stated that the Commission seeks to encourage and promote the commercialization of Research and Development (R&D) results through its institutes, with the help of the Technology Transfer and Marketing Centre (TTMC).
He added that the contract arrangement signed by GAEC and COTVET since October, 2017 requires that GAEC trains informal sector workers in the areas of Welding and Electronics to international standards.
He indicated that this initiative adopts market driven approach to science technology and research.
“We wish to assure learners of quality technical training to improve standards in the industry”, he said.
He advised participants not to hesitate to report issues that will mar the future of the programme for immediate redress. He added that the programme be taken seriously in order to reflect in their performance.
Mr. Isaac Boateng of the Ghana Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Voucher project advised participants to eschew absenteeism and laziness. This he said may affect negatively, the chances of the programme being funded in future due to bad report.
He was thankful to the Government of Ghana, the German Government and COTVET for introducing Ghana Training Voucher Programme (GTVP) to refine the skills of the informal sector workers.
He further advised the participants to take the programme seriously in order to transform the informal sector with the acquired knowledge.
By: Thykingdom Kudesey / Office of Corporate and Public Affairs (OCPA) – GAEC
A Senior Research Scientist at the Radiological and Medical Sciences Research Institute (RAMSRI) of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) has disclosed that the death toll associated with Cancers in Ghana is on the rise due to inadequate information and improper management of these cancers.
Dr. Francis Hasford disclosed this in a lecture delivered at the monthly GAEC seminar series on the topic “Managing Cancer with radiation: is Ghana on Track?”
According to him, the rate of cancer incidence in Europe and other parts of the Western World is higher compared to Ghana, but usually records low deaths due to adequate information and effective management of the disease.
Speaking on Ghana’s situation with respect to cancer treatment, he disclosed that over 4 million people compete for one Radiotherapy machine nationwide, which he described as unfortunate. He added that the situation has mostly led to a frequent breakdown of the treatment facilities due to intense pressure.
“So far Ghana has only 3 Radiotherapy facilities for cancer treatment. One is situated at Korle bu Teaching Hospital and another at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital with one being a private facility”, he said.
Dr. Hasford who is also a lecturer at the Gradate School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences (SNAS), suggested that Ghana must adopt a national strategy for cancer management in order to control the situation.
Giving some statistics on cancer cases recorded in 2017, Dr. Hasford revealed that out of a total of 2,400 people who were diagnosed in Ghana, females recorded 65 percent, out of that number. Out of the total number of females, 36 percent were diagnosed with breast cancer cases. Consequently, the figure for Males stood at 35 percent, with 21 percent being cases of prostate cancer.
The Director of RAMSRI, Prof. Mary Boadu in an interview blamed the situation on inadequate public education. According to her, most cancer victims resort to herbalists who may not know their actual ailments for treatment, before they later report to the hospitals when their conditions have deteriorated. She added that the situation in most cases become unmanageable since it has gotten to its worst stage.
She further called for an equal measure of awareness-creation for cancer as it is with HIV and Malaria. Prof. Boadu finally advised the general public to make it a habit to go for cancer screening for possible early detection in order to help control the menace.
By: Thykingdom Kudesey / Office of Corporate and Public Affairs (OCPA) – GAEC
Prof. Kwabena Frimpong Boateng Minister for Min. Evironment, Science, Technology & Innovation
The Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI), Prof Frimpong Boateng has lauded the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), saying its expertise in Welding Technology is outstanding.
The Minister made this remark on Monday May 21, 2018 at a workshop organized by his outfit on the establishment of the Ghana Innovation and Research Commercialization (GIRC) Center which was held at the Alisa Hotel in Accra.
Prof. Frimpong Boateng noted that GAEC has performed creditably in the welding work done at the National Radio-astronomy Observatory at Kuntunse, a suburb of Accra and hence deserves commendation.
He mentioned that some specialists of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission had been trained in efficient welding technology in South Africa and was marveled at the work he saw at the National Radio-astronomy Observatory.
The Ghana Atomic Energy Commission however, has also been noted for its remarkable work on the fabrication of underground storage tanks and application of Non-Destructive Testing techniques for reputable companies like GOIL, Cummins Ghana Ltd, Micheletti Co. Ltd, etc.
He advised that a forum be organized for various crafts persons, associations and institutions whose main preoccupation is welding in order to address key challenges related to the profession.
Ms. Adelaide Asante, the Ag. Director of Science Technology and Innovation (STI) Directorate of the Ministry, also added that the Government of Ghana has taken an initiative to train welders in the informal sector in Competence Based Training which the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission is a Training Provider.
She urged all welding associations to grab this opportunity to train their members for certification and also for institutions capable of undertaking this project to register with COTVET to aid the Government of Ghana train more people in the informal sector.
By: Adjei Edmond Boahen, Technology Transfer and Marketing Centre (TTMC) – GAEC
Africa’s sole nuclear power plant, Koeberg Nuclear Plant, in South Africa
Bogged by projected declines in traditional energy sources, Ghana is now banking its hopes on nuclear power plants (NPP) to help keep the recent strong investments in generation steady to meet national consumption needs and turn on new factories.
The growing appetite for nuclear power is to help avoid a repeat of a six decade old dilemma, when the influx of factories just after independence caused energy demand to outstrip supply, then resulting in the demise of most of the factories.
With plans afoot to build a factory each in the 254 districts nationwide, the Ministry of Energy forecasts that traditional energy generation resources – gas, petroleum and hydro-fired plants – will be inadequate, making nuclear the first port of call.
One nuclear power plant is capable of producing about 1,200 megawatts (MW) of power – slightly above a quarter of the national installed capacity of 4,674MW.
The Deputy Director of Nuclear and Alternative Energy at the Ministry of Energy, Dr Robert Sogbadji, told the GRAPHIC BUSINESS that forecasts showed that the country will require base loads to meet its development aspirations.
“According to our gas master plan, our gas resources will be dwindling by 2027. We have exhausted our large hydros. Our mini hydros will only give us up to about 200MW to 300MW. Solar is intermittent supply and so it has its role to play.
“However, for industrilisation, we actually need base load generation such as nuclear, coal and gas base loads,” he said.
Although gas base loads look tenable, he said it was only “based on hope,” making it unreliable.
Speak to data
The Executive Director of the African Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP), Mr Benjamin Boakye, said it was not clear “what is informing nuclear at this point.”
Given that the Ministry of Energy plans to import “significant volumes of gas” in the coming years, Mr Boakye said the country needed to be sure that “it is not just adding on to generation.”
“We need to have a plan that speaks to data so that we are not just building cost into the electricity tariff because when you build plants and you do not have use for them, you ultimately have to pay for them,” he said.
Mr Boakye Agyarko — Ennergy Minister
Paris Accord
Despite agreeing to go nuclear since 1964, Ghana is yet to sign a deal with any of the vending countries to start commercial installation for energy generation. This is mainly due to lack of political will and the general piecemeal approaches to the energy challenges that face the country.
It appears this is now becoming history.
Beyond being a sustainable alternative, Dr Sogbadji, who is also the Coordinator of the Ghana Nuclear programme, said the country’s interest in nuclear energy was also bolstered by its environmentally-friendly and cost efficient nature.
As a result, he said the ministry was working hard to seal a good deal on nuclear power soon to help make energy sustainable.
He explained that although coal-fired electricity was also an option to the dwindling traditional energy sources, Ghana’s status as a signatory to the Paris Accord means that it could not use “a generational source that will pollute the environment.”
“So with our situation, we do not have a choice but to go nuclear and to also take advantage of our subregion by exporting,” he said.
The Paris Accord is a United Nations’ backed convention that bounds signatory countries to a global effort to reduce global warming to well below two degrees Celsius.
Unlike NPP, which are virtually emission-free, experts say coal-fired power plants emit large quantities of mercury, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and lead, which are dangerous to humans, other living things and the environment in general.
PDA with ROSATOM
Since the 1960s, Russia has been a key ally to Ghana’s nuclear power agenda.
It was the vending country that advised the Kwame Nkrumah administration on the country’s nuclear power programme, which was thwarted in 1966, when his government was overthrown.
Dr Sogbadji explained that the government was close to signing a project development agreement (PDA) with the Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation (ROSATOM) for formal discussions on a deal to start.
He said although the signing of the PDA had faced some challenges, both sides were committed to ensuring that such nitty-gritties were ironed out to allow for the process to continue.
Similar discussions are also ongoing with China as part of a grand strategy by the government to weigh the financial and technical expertise of the two vendor countries before arriving at a best option.
It is expected that the country will sign a deal to develop two plants with a combined capacity to produce some 2,400MW.
Each plant costs between US$5 billion to US$8 billion and take an average of six years to complete.
It is understood that the nuclear project would include a power plant and a nuclear technology centre.
Dr Sogbadji said the center will come with a bigger research reactor to build human resource for the plant, produce radioisotopes for medical applications, material testing and research into other nuclear application technologies, among others.
