Ghana’s cooperation with the European Union (EU) on strengthening nuclear safety has started yielding positive results, with the completion of an EU-funded initiative to boost the country’s nuclear regulatory framework.
Implemented through the European Instrument for International Nuclear Safety Cooperation (INSC), the “Support to the Nuclear Regulatory Authority of Ghana” project has concluded after six years of impactful collaboration, reinforcing Ghana’s commitment to the highest standards of nuclear safety and regulatory independence, according to a report by the Ghana News Agency.
The EUR 1.75 million project, launched in September 2019, focused on enhancing the capacity and effective independence of the Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NRA) of Ghana as the country advanced plans to establish a nuclear power programme.
Mr. Jonas CLAES, Deputy EU Ambassador, said the EU was fully committed to nuclear safety as a common non-negotiable objective.
He said history offered enough lessons, demonstrating that nuclear safety transcended national borders, making international cooperation indispensable, adding that communities must be protected, the environment safeguarded, and public trust earned.
Mr. CLAES said the collaboration, guided by European expertise and the recommendations of the International Atomic Energy Agency, reflected a shared commitment to safe, responsible, and sustainable energy development.
“Together, we are not only supporting Ghana’s regulatory capacities. We are protecting communities, safeguarding the environment, and setting a benchmark for the region in nuclear safety,” he added.
He said there was now a Regulatory Strategy aligning Ghana with EU and international best practices, and nine draft regulations for nuclear power plants.
Mr CLAES said the regulations included provisions for Small Modular Reactors where Ghana was the first country for which the EU adapted its support to the new industrial option.
The Deputy EU Ambassador added that they also had an integrated management system, a human resources development plan and enhanced public communication.
He said knowledge and experience exchange remained at the core of the initiative such that through training in three EU Member States: Hungary, Slovenia and Slovakia, the NRA has built strong technical expertise to regulate, inspect, and enforce.
“While the project is concluding today, EU support is not leaving the building. A new project has already started to further strengthen the NRA’s capacity, independence, and ability to uphold the highest standards of nuclear safety,” he stressed.
Professor Francis Otoo, Director-General, NRA, said at the outbreak of COVID-19, the project had to adapt to virtual implementation which demonstrated the resilience of their shared commitment toward nuclear safety.
He said the government and the Sector Ministry had provided support through budgetary allocations and recruitment of the required staff to enable effective implementation of the project and to ensure the sustainability of the gains made through this project.
Professor Otoo said there were still potential areas of collaboration which must be explored for mutual benefits.
“There is a need to set up radiation monitoring system and emergency response centre to interface with the National Disaster Management Organisation’s emergency command centre.”
“As we conclude this project, let us reaffirm our collective commitment to nuclear and radiation safety and security, and explore opportunities for advancing the collaboration and joint activities in this field to advance the safe use of nuclear and radiation technologies in the world,” he stressed.
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