The Ghana Atomic Energy Commission is a world leader in nuclear research – Bawumia

News of the Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Source: presidency.gov.gh

2019-07-31

Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia congratulated the Ghana Atomic Energy Council (GAEC) for its groundbreaking research and training, which put Ghana on the front line. Global efforts to convert research reactors fueled with highly enriched uranium enriched uranium enriched ones.

In August 2017, Ghana became the first country, outside of China, to complete the conversion of this type of reactor, and the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission trained scientists from other countries to the conversion of this type of reactor.

Speaking in Accra on Tuesday, July 30, 2019, Vice President Bawumia said Ghana was committed to global efforts to ensure the responsible use of nuclear technology and would continue to uphold international treaties that would govern its use.

"Uranium-rich research reactors could become a potential source of nuclear weapons. The terrorist threat legitimizes this concern and the global solution, based on the principles of non-proliferation, is to convert all research reactors with high uranium enrichment into low-enriched uranium research reactors.

"In this regard, Ghanaian scientists, in collaboration with scientists and experts from the Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) and the National Laboratory Idaho (INL) of the US Department of Energy (US DoE), the United States Department International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and China The Institute of Atomic Energy has embarked on the process of converting our highly enriched uranium fuel reactor into a reactor-based of low enriched uranium.

"With this feat, Ghana has received an outstanding performance award from the National Nuclear Security Administration, US Department of Energy."

Vice President Bawumia praised the commission of a research reactor with low enriched uranium nucleus; International Training Center for Miniature Neutron Source Reactors; and the Laboratory Building of the Radiological and Medical Research Institute of GAEC in Kwabenya, Accra.

The vice president revealed that the government, three months ago, had released funds to support the process of selecting a site for the creation of a nuclear power plant (NPP) to produce l & # 39; electricity.

"Cabinet has also approved the creation of an organization to oversee the construction and operation of Ghana's first nuclear power plant and believes that this will also contribute to our goal of achieving some of the Sustainable Development Goals." , especially good health and good health. to be, as well as a quality education, that will transform our world. "

The Vice President praised the work done by GAEC scientists on radiation medicine, cancer research, medical imaging, diagnostic molecular biology and nutrition, which have direct positive effects on daily life.

"I would like to congratulate the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) for its contribution to the country's development through the application of nuclear science and technology in areas such as health, health and safety. 39, agriculture and industry. I am told that it is thanks to the efforts of the Commission that the two radiotherapy centers of Korle-Bu and Komfo Anokye University Hospitals have been set up for the treatment of cancer.

"I've also taken good note of your research on irradiation, which would extend the shelf life of commodities such as yam, corn and beans. This would greatly help reduce post-harvest losses, "he added.

The government of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is committed to strengthening and accelerating scientific studies, badured Vice President Bawumia, recalling that it was the first time in more than 40 years that A president or his vice went to the premises of the GAEC. amount of aid to the scientific work of the country's only nuclear research institution.