The Ghana Atomic Energy Commission has expressed its readiness to maintain high safety standards as the nation prepares to establish a nuclear power plant.
Most Countries in Africa are reluctant to establish nuclear plants due to stringent rules from the International Atomic Energy Agency on upholding strict measures.
Ghana has been presented with a document on assessment of phase one of the establishment of a nuclear plant.
Speaking to Citi Business News, the Director General of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Professor Benjamin Nyarko stated that Ghana is prepared to uphold the highest safety standards.
“Nuclear power plants have inbuilt safety systems already. After the Fukushima (Nuclear Accident) they studied it and put in different safety measures and it is always like that for all the accidents. We in Ghana have operated a research reactor for the past 22 years. We just have to upgrade it,” he said.
Touching on international standards, Prof. Nyarko maintained that it is difficult to deviate from the safety rules since the measures are enforced with strict attention.
“In terms of safety and knowledge in nuclear field we have experience. There are international standards of operating it. We have what we call safety culture. So we have to inculcate it into the people,” he said.
Ghana gets boost in nuclear project
Ghana’s quest to establish the first Nuclear Power Plant in West Africa received a major boost as the International Atomic Energy Agency presents it findings for the Phase One of the project.
Ghana officially started the process to establish a nuclear power plant as part of its energy needs for the industrial use in 2008.
By: Lawrence Segbefia/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana
