Government to provide protection of nuclear and radioactive materials
Government has expressed its commitment to provide the physical protection of nuclear and other radioactive materials and associated facilities, Mr Alex Segbefia, Deputy Chief of Staff said on Tuesday.
He said government would in addition; work to combat illicit trafficking and inadvertent movement of radioactive materials.
Opening a three-day Regional Training Course on Nuclear Security Culture in Accra, Mr Segbefia said; “an enhanced nuclear security culture would provide greater assurance that the entire nuclear security system would accomplish its functions of preventing, detecting, delaying and responding to theft, sabotage, unauthorised access, illegal transfer or malicious act involving radioactive materials and associated facilities and transport”.
The training attended by decision makers from the national regulatory bodies and institutions involved in activities or facilities that utilise nuclear materials and other radioactive substances was to provide basic awareness and understanding of nuclear security culture.
It would also give an insight into the relevant international and national legal instruments that have impact on nuclear security culture, provide an understanding of their universal features and discuss the experiences of various organisations in enhancing and improving nuclear security culture within their organisations and the public.
The training is being organised by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in collaboration with the Radiation Protection Institute of Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GEAC) for Africa Regional Co-operative Forum for Science, Technology and Research member states.
Nuclear security refers to personal dedication, accountability and understanding of all individuals engaged in any activity which has bearing on the security of nuclear activities.
Mr Segbefia explained that an effective nuclear security culture could result in a significant increase in the effectiveness of the security of radioactive materials and associated facilities.
He commended IAEA for the continuous support in building capacities of countries and providing guidelines for ensuring nuclear safety.
Professor Yaw Serfo-Armah, Deputy Director-General of GAEC called for effective structural, communication, information and exchange systems and the integration of functions of the diverse organisations into a unified unclear security culture.
“By the coherent implementation of a nuclear security culture, staff remains vigilant of the need to maintain high level of security,” he added.
Source: GNA