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National Security Council readies itself for fight
against weapons of mass destruction
Accra, Feb. 11, Ghanadot/GNA - The
National Security Council has resolved to take appropriate
and effective actions against any threat to international
peace and security caused by the proliferation of nuclear,
chemical and biological weapons and their means of delivery.
This has become necessary because proliferation of nuclear,
chemical and biological weapons as well as their means of
delivery constituted a threat to the international peace and
security.
To buttress this decision, Ghana has submitted her report
and was preparing to submit response to the queries that
were raised on the first report.
Dr Sam George Amoo, National Security Coordinator, Office of
the President said these at the opening of a five-day
regional training workshop for 18 participants in Advanced
Detection Equipment in Accra.
The training attended by participants from Ghana, Sudan and
Nigeria was organised by Ghana Atomic Energy Commission in
collaboration with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Participants, mainly front line officers like Immigration,
Police, Custom Excise and Preventive Service and other
security agencies would be taken through theoretical and
practical exercises, using radiation detection equipment to
monitor, detect and identify nuclear and other radioactive
materials.
They will also be taken through verification alarms and
confirmation of incidents by saving; transferring and
transmitting instrument data to the mobile export support
team from the Nuclear Institutions and strengthen member
states’ capacities for detection of response to incidents
involving nuclear and other radioactive materials.
Dr Amoo noted that world peace could not be compromised by
any means in all human endeavours and there was therefore
the need to halt illicit trafficking of dangerous and
offensive weapons.
He explained that through IAEA, states of the world were
developing nuclear and radiation safety standards and
legally binding conventions that were relevant to safety and
security alongside the development of benefits of the use of
nuclear technology to better the lot of society.
The National Security Coordinator observed that the nation’s
quest to fight nuclear terrorism in all forms, “one cannot
repudiate the fact that this training has come at an
appropriate time” and pledged that the National Security
Council will assist GAEC and join the global community in
fighting nuclear terrorism.
Professor Edward Akaho, Director-General of GAEC said IAEA
at its general conference in 2006 endorsed the proposed
2006-2009 Nuclear Security Plan aimed at increasing national
awareness and capacities in the target countries for the
prevention, detection and response to malicious acts
involving nuclear and other materials.
The Nuclear Security Plan proposed to be established and
implemented in Ghana would control and protect nuclear and
other radioactive materials, protect nuclear installations
and transports from terrorists and other illegal activities
and detect and respond to such events.
The centre when established would also serve as a model for
envisaged centres in Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Morocco and
Mexico.
Prof. Akaho called for the urgent need to create awareness
on the issue and the possibility of loosing control over
radioactive sources through transport, accident, theft and
abandoning the sources after usage.
Professor Adzei Bekoe, Chairman of the Council of State who
chaired, said the international community was concerned
about the threat of terrorism and illicit trafficking in
nuclear, chemical or biological weapons and called for the
need to facilitate an effective response to the global
threats in the area of non-proliferation.
GNA
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