Ghana atomic energy commission appeals for government support

The Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), providing nuclear energy and biotechnology techniques for sustainable development, on Thursday appealed the government to give more support on its programs of services, according to Ghana News Agency's report.

Professor Edward H. K. Akaho, director-general of the commission, told the Minister of Information Dan Botwe, on a visit to the commission that support receiving from the government was inadequate.

GAEC handles nuclear science and technology, addressing problems of health, industry, agriculture and environment. "There was the need to combine science, politics and diplomacy to build a strong foundation for the expanded use of nuclear technology in Ghana and west Africa," said the professor.

Akaho also said national nuclear power policy should be included in the energy mix to serve as a basis for sustainable energy development, policy decision and creation of public awareness.

"This would solve the research and development problem that the commission is facing and to make the public benefit from most of the sustainable agricultural and industrial programs that the commission is undertaking," he said.

Another major problem of the Commission was lack of staff to handle most of the scientific work, he said, the staff strength of 530 needed to be increased as early as possible to meet increasing demands.

Source: Xinhua