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Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NRA)
Bill underway in Accra
Accra, Nov 20, Ghanadot/GNA - A round table discussion on
the Draft Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NRA) Bill begun at
the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission on Tuesday with the hope
that a common platform would be reached on how to improve
regulatory effectiveness as well as improve protection for
the public.
The day's meeting, which discussed the establishment of the
NRA, its functions and powers, staffing, structure, and
financial provisions attracted about 50 participants
included Ministers of States, Parliamentarians, Nuclear
Scientists, officials of the Attorney Generals Department,
Environmental Protection Agency, Food and Drugs Board, Volta
River Authority and some members of the academia.
The meeting was also to meet the requirements of the
International Atomic Energy Agency for the establishment of
a Legal Infrastructure for Nuclear Energy Programme and
Radiation Protection in Ghana.
Professor John Humphrey Amuasi, Dean, School of Nuclear and
Allied Sciences, University of Ghana, Atomic Energy Campus
said the introduction of a nuclear power programme in Ghana
and its successful execution would depend largely "on our
ability to master local and international infrastructure
covering a wide range of activities".
The activities, he said should include how to operate a
reliable and adequate electric power generation,
transmission and distribution system and how to implement
necessary expansion when needed.
Prof Amausi said; "there was no gain saying how much Ghana
needs a nuclear infrastructure to move us from a typical
consumer oriented country which imports everything from
power generators to toothpicks from other countries who some
50 years ago were on the same level with us in terms of
development".
Nuclear energy and radiation infrastructure hold the key for
agricultural and industrial growth, he said.
Dr Yaw Serfor-Armah, Deputy Director-General, Ghana Atomic
Energy Commission said the meeting would preview the draft
Nuclear Regulation Authority Bill to address issues such as
the renewed interest in the use of nuclear energy for
electricity generation; the changed global security
situation and the consequential need for safety and security
to be more closely integrated among others.
He said Ghana already had a Radiation Protection Board but
its resources were inadequate and these needed to be
enhanced to include the aspect related to the regulation of
nuclear power facilities.
"The achievement and maintenance of a high level of safety
and security in the use of nuclear and radiation sources and
radioactive waste management, will obviously depend on a
sound legal and governmental infrastructure comprising an
independent and appropriately organised regulatory body with
well-defined responsibilities and functions, and staff with
access to adequate resources," he said.
GNA
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