The Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. KwabenaFrimpong Boateng has lauded the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) for consistency in technological developments.
The Minister made this comment at the 2019 edition of the Meet-the-Press Series for the Ministry of Environment Science Technology and Innovation (MESTI), held at the Ministry of Information, Accra.
According to him, he is motivated anytime he pays a working visit to GAEC to assess their progress of work.
He pointed out advances made by the Biotechnology and Nuclear Agriculture Research Institute (BNARI) of GAEC in the use of the Gama Irradiation Facility (GIF), to process crops for shelf life extension as a way of reducing post-harvest losses. He also lauded the introduction of a new cassava variety by BNARI and added that it is a step towards the successful implementation of the Planting for Food and Jobs initiative, being championed by the Akufu-Addo government.
He assured that the mosquito sterilization project (Sterile Insect Technique) that aims at reducing the spread of malaria, being championed by GAEC, through the Radiation Entomology and Pest Management Centre of BNARI, would be revamped. He lamented that the project stalled due mainly to power and other challenges.
Prof. Boateng expressed joy at the rapid progress made by Ghana in line with International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) guidelines and regulations for citing a Nuclear Power Plant. He added that the nuclear power plant would add a substantial base load to the national grid to support industry.
He commended the Nuclear Power Institute (NPI) of GAEC, the Ghana Nuclear Power Programme Organization (GNPPO) and Nuclear Power Ghana (NPG), among others for their tireless efforts.
Responding to questions concerning safety of encroachers on GAEC lands and how the situation could be curtailed to avoid a recurrence at the Nuclear Power Plant site, he cautioned the public to desist from encroaching on GAEC and other government properties. He revealed that those lands where left as buffer zones to protect the public and aid in the operations of GAEC.
He assured that appropriate steps would be put in place to ensure that the Nuclear Power Plant site will be secured against encroachment and any form of irregular activities.
