Distinguished ladies and Gentlemen, it is an honor and a privilege to celebrate this International Women’s Day with you all and share a few thoughts on this day. The theme for this celebration is; Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow with a sub-theme “Break the Bias”.
International Women’s Day is marked globally every year with great enthusiasm to celebrate the achievements of women in all spheres of influence: social, political, economic, academic and other fields of life.
Today, women are leaders in various endeavors and work at par with men because of the hard work done by the forbearers that fought relentlessly to bring us this far. However, the dominant grip of society by men continues unabated. Men are still holding women to subservient positions in society.
Without a shred of doubt, the growth and sustainability of the human race depend on women. At home or work, women demonstrate a great deal of zeal and enthusiasm but they are mostly sidelined on issues affecting women and children. The time is ripe for women to champion their issues.
An American writer, Harriet Beecher Stower, once said ‘women build society and build communities: women are therefore the real architects of society’.
Therefore, women must be respected and given their rightful place in society. To ensure gender equity and sustain our environment for future generations, women must have the space to realize their potential and take their pride of place in society.
As we celebrate this remarkable day, let us continue the work done by our forbearers and in solidarity, let us raise the awareness of the plight of all women and break the biases. For without women, sustainability will be beyond reach.
Happy International Women’s Day.
Long Live GAEC Ladies Association
GAEC Ladies: it’s our Word, We Take Charge; Together we can Do More.
A seven-member executive committee of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) Ladies Association has taken over the baton of leadership to steer the affairs of the association for the next three years.
They are Dr. Eunice Agyarko-Mintah, President; Ms. Justina Owu-Agyiri, Vice President; Mrs. Evelyn Duah, Secretary; Mrs. Doris Worlanyo Taylor, Treasurer; Ms. Leticia Esi Boadu, Financial Secretary; Ms. Matilda Obese-Badu, Protocol Officer and Mrs. Belinda D. Brocke, Vice Protocol Officer.
The newly elected GAEC Ladies Executive Committee Members.
At a brief ceremony on February 17, 2022, at the GAEC Auditorium in Accra, the President of the association, Dr. Agyarko-Mintah, thanked members of the association for the confidence they had reposed in her and the other executive members.
She commended the past executives for their good works and assured members to take the works of their predecessors a notch higher. The President also promised to work together with all stakeholders towards the realization of the association’s aspirations.
Dr Agyarko-Mintah also extolled the past executives for contributing to the effort of the Commission to fight COVID-19 by donating hand sanitizers and tissue towels when the pandemic was at its peak.
The President noted, “I cannot and will not assume that this mission can be accomplished on my own accord and knowledge. Therefore, I appeal for the cooperation of all members to help promote the Association’s image to a better stead.
Immediate past GAEC Ladies Executive Committee Members.
The immediate past executives were Prof Mary Boadu, President; Mrs. Sika Nartey, Vice President; Dr. Hannah Affum, Secretary; Mrs. Yvette Agyiriba Aggrey, Treasurer; Ms. Leticia Boadu, Financial Secretary; Ms. Justina Owu-Agyiri, Protocol Officer and Ms. Sadia Moro, Vice Protocol Officer.
The GAEC Ladies Association was founded in 2019 through the relentless efforts of a group of ladies of the Commission. It has since grown in membership and activities. The association, is known for its women empowerment and ensuring the active participation of female in the scientific and non-scientific activities and programmes of the Commission while promoting the development of women in general.
The Director-General of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), Prof. Samuel Boakye Dampare, has paid a working visit to the Biotechnology and Nuclear Agricultural Research Institute (BNARI) of the Commission in Accra.
Director General of GAEC, Prof. Samuel B. Dampare (standing) addressing management of the BNARI.
The visit was the second leg of the familiarization tour of the seven Research Institutes of the Commission since his assumption of office, to afford him the opportunity to acquaint himself with the activities and operations of BNARI and to share his vision with them.
In an interaction with management of the Institute, Prof. Dampare assured them of his unflinching support towards the realization of their set goals and objectives. “We want to work together and move GAEC forward as a team so you have my full support for all your research activities”, he added.
The GAEC Premier sounded a word of caution that the tenure of office for all management positions will not be renewed automatically, but will be based on performance. “You must ensure that your subordinates work, set targets for them and monitor to ensure they achieve the set targets”, he noted.
He indicated that acquisition of funding for projects and research should be one of the targets to be set by the Institute. “Government pays our salaries and we are expected to source for funds within or outside Ghana through writing of award winning proposals to enable us undertake our research without any hitches”, he said.
He advised that the focus of GAEC as a research organization should be the impact it makes on society. “Scientists in BNARI should generate research ideas that have direct benefits to the society and can be pitched with organizations for sponsorship. This is what will move the nation forward”, he said.
Prof Dampare reiterated his quest for the accreditation of laboratories and suggested that a roadmap should be made for the accreditation of a number of laboratories in BNARI.
Deputy Director General of GAEC, Deputy Director of GAEC, Prof. Dickson Adomako (standing) speaking to management of the BNARI.
The Deputy Director General of GAEC, Prof. Dickson Adomako, who accompanied the DG on the tour, advised management of the Institute to focus on consensus building with their colleagues and subordinates in research, financial mobilization and career development.
The Director of BNARI, Dr. Michael Osae thanked the DG and his team for the visit and promised to work hard to help the DG achieve his vision for GAEC.
The newly appointed Director General (DG) of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), Prof. Samuel B. Dampare has begun a tour of the seven technical institutes of GAEC with a visit to the National Nuclear Research Institute (NNRI).
The tour marks the DG’s concerted effort to have a first-hand information on the various types of research being undertaken in the laboratories and also ascertain the state of equipment and facilities at the Institutes.
Director General of GAEC, Prof. Samuel B. Dampare (standing) giving the keynote address at the meeting.
Speaking at a meeting with the Directors, Centre Managers and Heads of Department of NNRI, held at the Miniature Neutron Source Reactor (MNSR) facility, Prof. Dampare thanked them for their hard work and support during the investiture and induction ceremonies that ushered him into office.
He was optimistic that NNRI could replicate what pertains in other institutes by getting legal backing for some of the technologies and services they offer. “We can get legal backing for some of the technologies that we have a competitive advantage over and team up with the assemblies and say for instance, before anybody builds a house, he needs this or that certification from GAEC”, he stressed.
Responding to a question on the state of the GAEC website, the DG indicated that the Commission’s website will soon receive a facelift, and that, a directive has been issued for all Institutes to create their content for the update of the GAEC and Institute websites. “Visibility is key and if you write proposals for instance, the evaluators don’t know you and the first port of call is the website in order to identify you. So it is very important that we get this information from you to update the site”, he added.
The DG also noted that the internet is necessary for research and there must be a concerted effort to register all devices that will use the GAEC network so that activities can be properly monitored to ensure its proper use. “You will be surprised at what some people watch on their phones and computers during working hours”, he revealed.
Deputy Director General of GAEC, Prof. Dickson Adomako (standing) speaking at the meeting.
Prof. Dampare stressed on the importance of accreditation of some selected laboratories within the next few years and indicated the necessity for clearly documented Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) as well as Quality Control and quality Assurance (QAQC) measures.
The Deputy Director General of GAEC, Prof. Dickson Adomako, also advised management of the institute to promptly forward decisions taken at the institute level to the DG for him to be up to speed with what goes on at the institute level.
Professor Samuel Boakye Dampare has been inducted into office as the Director-General (DG) of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC).
Prof. Dickson Adomako also was inducted as the Deputy Director-General.
They both swore the Oath of Office and Secrecy administered by the Board Chairman of the commission, Dr Kwaku Aning, who adorned them with stoles.
The former DG, Prof. Benjamin J.B. Nyarko presented a sword and a key to signify his official handing over to the new DG.
The ceremony attracted Vice-Chancellors and Presidents of tertiary institutions, former Director Generals of GAEC, and their deputies, the clergy, religious leaders, faculty and students of the School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences, friends and families of the two professors.
The out-going Director-General, Prof. B.J.B Nyarko (right) handing over the key of office to in-coming Director-General, Professor Samuel Boakye Dampare.
Dr. Aning, in his opening remarks, said it was the first time in the annals of the commission that a DG and his deputy were being sworn into office.
The Board Chairman stated that in accordance with laid down procedures and purposes of the commission, a search committee was duly constituted in 2021 to propose a successor to the former DG.
The Commission’s Board Chairman said in November last year, the report of the search committee was considered and approved the appointment of Prof. Dampare as the Director-General of the Commission and Prof. Adomako as his deputy.
Dr. Aning said the DG was answerable to the Commission’s Board and as the Chief Disciplinary Officer responsible for the day-to-day administration, research, development and education functions of the Commission as conferred on him by the GAEC Act 2000.
The GAEC Board Chairman, Dr. Kwaku Aning (Middle) decorating the in-coming Deputy Director-General, Prof. Dickson Adomako (left) with a stole.
He said the Deputy DG shall perform any other function assigned by the Director-General and commended the Board for getting competent and visionary professors to head the Commission.
Prof. Dampare in his inaugural address commended the search committee for giving him the opportunity to serve the Commission and Prof. Emeritus E. H. K. Akaho, Prof. A.W.K. Kyere, Prof. Amuasi, Prof.Tsugio Shibata and Prof. Daniel Asiedu whose encouragement, support and guidance brought him this far.
His tenure, he stated commenced a new era of leadership and the very high expectations of the Commission to advance and excel within the global scientific research and development.
The DG said the Commission had made remarkable progress in health, agriculture, medicine, industry water resources management and space science and recognised globally as one of the leading institutions contributing to sustainable nuclear science and technology.
He added that his vision was to have GAEC become “globally recognised, nationally relevant, result-focused and an entrepreneurial scientific research organisation in the field of nuclear and allied sciences and applications.”
Prof. Dampare indicated that GAEC is strategically established with a focus on research and development, innovation and technology transfer, human resource development, education and training, commercialisation and the promotion of nuclear power into Ghana’s energy ministry.
He pledged to promote an inter-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary approach to research to address, promote the transfer of technology to the private sector, strengthen the capabilities of identified laboratories as well as establish a research and innovation fund to support the government’s agenda of industrial development.
The Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with SKT Aeroshutter Limited on January 20, 2022 at the premises of GAEC, which enjoins the parties to undertake projects in furtherance of Ghana’s Nuclear Power Programme.
Professor B. J. B. Nyarko, the Director General of GAEC and Mr. Francis Owusu, Chief Executive Officer of SKT Aeroshutter Limited, represented and signed on behalf of GAEC and SKT Aeroshutter Limited respectively.
The Director General of GAEC, B.J.B Nyarko (L) shares a copy of the signed MOU to the CEO of SKT Aeroshutter Limited, Francis Owusu (R). Photo Credit: E. Akaho
The MoU specifically aims at, among other things, synergizing aerial surveys and photogrammetry with the use of drones, using artificial intelligence in data processing, applying geospatial analysis and undertaking feasibility studies in advancement of Ghana’s Nuclear Power Programme. The MoU also creates room for SKT Aeroshutter Limited and GAEC to jointly undertake proposed projects within the public and private sector.
GAEC is expected to deliver on the terms of the MoU through the Nuclear Power Institute (NPI), which is responsible for the technical oversight of Ghana’s Nuclear Power Programme.
Mr. Francis Owusu expressed his appreciation for the collaboration and emphasized that the collaboration stands the potential of yielding positive strides for both parties.
Group Photo of both delegations during the MOU signing. Photo Credit: E. Akaho
Professor B.J.B Nyarko expressed his satisfaction with the collaboration, stating that the collaboration was a step in the right direction and has strong prospects of closing the technology gap in Ghana. He urged the parties to endeavor to operationalize the MoU for the socio-economic development of the nation.
The Board of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) has appointed Professor Samuel Boakye Dampare as the new Director-General of the institution effective February 1, 2022.
This follows a decision of the Commission’s Board at its 122nd regular meeting held on Wednesday, November 10, 2021, which considered and approved the recommendations of the Search Committee.
He takes over from Professor Benjamin Jabez Botwe Nyarko, who has reached the statutory retirement age and whose term of office ends on January 31, 2022.
Newly appointed Director-General of GAEC, Prof. Samuel Boakye Dampare.
Professor Dampare, by this appointment, becomes the ninth Executive Head and the fourth Director-General of the foremost scientific research institution in Ghana with a niche in nuclear science and technology, GAEC.
Until his appointment, he was the Deputy Director of Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute (GSSTI) of GAEC. He also served as the Vice Dean of the Graduate School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences (SNAS) of the University of Ghana–Atomic and the Head of the Neutron Activation Analysis Laboratory at the Ghana Research Reactor–1 (GHARR–1) Centre of GAEC.
He had his basic education at Maase Methodist School, Abuakwa and obtained his GCE Ordinary and Advanced Levels at the Ofori Panin Secondary School, Kukurantumi in the Eastern Region.
Professor Dampare is an alumnus of the University of Ghana and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree and M.Phil. in Geology in 1996 and 2001, respectively.
Professor Dampare obtained his PhD in Geology in 2008 at the Okayama University in Japan through a Japanese Government Scholarship (Monbukagakusho).
After obtaining his PhD, Professor Dampare was awarded a two-year postdoctoral fellowship by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) to conduct collaborative research at the same university.
He has been a recipient of several awards and fellowships such as the Dean of the Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology Award for Academic Excellence, Okayama University (2006); Bank of Ghana Graduate Fellowship, University of Ghana (1998–1999) and MacCallien Memorial Prize for Best Graduating Student in Geology given by Geological Society of Ghana in 1997.
Professor Dampare’s scientific career at GAEC started in 2002 as an Assistant Research Scientist at the Ghana Research Reactor–1 (GHARR–1) Centre. He was upgraded to the rank of Research Scientist in 2003 and promoted to Senior Research Scientist in 2008, Principal Research Scientist in 2011 and Chief Research Scientist in 2018. He was conferred with the title of Associate Professor and Professor in Nuclear Earth Sciences in 2012 and 2020, respectively.
As a researcher, he has undertaken works in petrology and geochemistry of igneous and sedimentary rocks, crustal evolution studies of the West African Craton (WAC), Isotope hydrology and hydrogeochemistry, uranium geology, environmental pollution, development of nuclear analytical techniques for measurement of geological/geochemical and environmental samples as well as space technology applications for socio-economic development, among others.
Professor Dampare has also participated in several training courses, workshops, consultative meetings and conferences, where he has presented his research findings and given invited talks.
He has participated in the governance of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission through his service on several statutory and Ad-hoc Boards and Committees. He has also served on external boards and committees including the College of Basic and Applied Sciences (CBAS) Board, UG (2018–date); and Council of Ghana Institution of Geoscientists (GhIG), 2019.
Furthermore, he serves as a member of the African Union Commission’s (AUC) AMREC Working Group from 2017–date and the Project Counterpart for Ghana for some IAEA Technical Cooperation projects
He is a fellow of the Ghana Institution of Geoscientists and a member of several professional associations including the Ghana Nuclear Society, Geological Society of Africa, Japan Association of Mineralogical Sciences, American Geophysical Union, the Geochemical Society and Geological Society of America and Ghana Science Association.
Professor Dampare has authored and co-authored over 75 articles in international and national major peer-reviewed journals. He has served as an examiner and external assessor of several graduate theses and promotional documents for academics as well as co-supervised several PhD, M.Phil./M.Sc. theses and B.Sc. dissertations for students from the University of Ghana, and other public universities in Ghana.
He is married to Angela Dampare, and they have four children (Papa Kwabena, Nana Ago, Maame Boohemaa and Kwabena Amoako). He is a Christian and worships at Mt. Sinai Methodist Church, Atomic, Kwabenya. He enjoys watching football and movies, playing checkers/draught and listening to music.
The Governing Board of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) has appointed Prof. Dickson Adomako as the new Deputy Director-General of the Commission.
He takes over from Prof. Shiloh K. D. Osae whose term of office ends on January 31, 2022.
Prior to his appointment, Prof. Adomako was the Director of Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute (GSSTI) of GAEC. He is a chief research scientist, lecturer, and consultant.
Newly appointed Deputy Director-General of GAEC, Prof. Dickson Adomako.
Prof. Adomako had his GCE Ordinary and Advanced Levels at the Ofori Panin Secondary School. He is an alumnus of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and graduated with Bachelor’s Degree in Physics and continued with his graduate studies leading to the award of a degree in Master of Science in Geophysics.
In 2010, the Graduate School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences (SNAS) of the University of Ghana awarded him a PhD in Nuclear Earth Science after successful completion of his 3-year programme.
His research interests are in exploration geophysics, isotope hydrology, geochemistry, environmental pollution and space science.
Prof. Adomako has extensively worked on mineral exploration, application of stable isotopes in groundwater resources assessment and has also facilitated the application of this technique for the sustainability of wetlands that have been exposed to anthropogenic activities and in monitoring pollution studies.
His research works have aided the understanding of hydrochemical dynamics in some selected areas in Ghana.
He is keen on generating a lot of geophysical and hydrochemical data to help policymakers alleviate water-borne diseases and water shortages in some communities in the country.
Prof. Adomako has participated in the governance of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission through his service on several statutory and Adhoc Boards and Committees.
He is currently a member of the Executive Committee and General Management Committee of Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC).
Prof Adomako has successfully supervised several MPhil and PhD students and has served as both internal and external examiner/assessor. He has published extensively in his research area.
He has attended and presented research papers at several local and international conferences and has over 55 publications in both local and international peer-reviewed journals to his credit.
Prof. Dickson Adomako is married to Mrs. Lydia Adomako and the union is blessed with three children.
The Research Scientist Association (RSA) of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) has donated a desktop computer and accessories to the Commission’s Library to enhance learning among the staff of the Commission.
The donation which forms part of the RSA Week 2021 celebration included items such as Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) device, a scanner and a printer.
Presenting the items, the RSA President, Dr. Adolf Kofi Awua, indicated that the donation was to support the library’s digitization programme to help improve its service efficiency.
He also noted that it would make access to information and other learning material easy as well as prevent repetitive records of books and materials, which he said saves time and material resources.
The Director General, Prof. Benjamin Jabez Botwe Nyarko (third left), receiving the items from RSA members.
Receiving the equipment, Prof. Benjamin Jabez Botwe Nyarko, the Director General of GAEC, thanked the RSA for the kind gesture and assured them the items would be put to good use.
Prof. Nyarko noted that the items would support the efforts of the Commission to modernize its library to serve the needs of staff and other library users.
“A digitized GAEC library will attract the interest of all-and-sundry looking for information and not only research scientists,” he noted.
He urged the Librarian to adopt a good maintenance culture and keep the equipment in good working condition to serve its operational lifespan. “One of the key things worrying Ghanaians is poor maintenance culture which leads to loss of resources. Therefore, let us make the effort at keeping equipment that have been acquired with resources very well,” he said.
