The Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) has cautioned the general public against acquiring its land from encroachers and unauthorised sellers.
GAEC in a statement said, it had observed that unknown individuals have illegally broken barricades securing portions of its land behind the Bohye Police Base Workshop and Ga-East Hospital. These individuals have begun grading vast areas designated for the expansion of nuclear facilities.
The land in question, located along the ‘Bohye’ stretch of GAEC property, is government-owned and has been earmarked for the construction of an Electron Beam Irradiation Facility.
This facility would support sustainable agriculture and enhance national food security by preserving food, reducing post-harvest losses, and controlling contamination in consumer products. Additionally, it will be used for the sterilization of single-use medical devices, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and other essential products.
The Commission said it is increasingly confronted with a surge in encroachments, with activities now dangerously close to the National Nuclear Waste Management Centre. This centre houses hazardous radioactive waste, which is managed in strict compliance with the laws of Ghana and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) regulations.
These encroachments pose serious safety and security risks to both the facility and surrounding communities. Additionally, the safety of residents in the immediate catchment area is under serious threat if this security installation remains unprotected.
GAEC further emphasises the state’s obligation to protect its assets under international legal frameworks, to which Ghana is a signatory. Preventing encroachment is crucial for maintaining a safe research environment and ensuring the peaceful use of nuclear science and technology for national development.
Ghana currently holds the prestigious position of Chair of the Board of Governors of the IAEA, the United Nations agency responsible for promoting the peaceful use of nuclear technology worldwide. If the land encroachment issue is not addressed swiftly, it could negatively impact Ghana’s international reputation and future opportunities. Ghana’s positive reputation and good safety record in operating a research reactor for over 30 years could be eroded.
GAEC’s land was legally secured by the Government of Ghana through an Executive Instrument (EI 75) in 1973. It was designated to facilitate comprehensive nuclear science research to support Ghana’s national development across various sectors.
