Ghana Atomic Energy Commission - GAEC

04/09/2026

GAEC Urges Stakeholder Support to Protect Groundwater Systems in Ghana and Sub-region


The Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) has urged stakeholders to support efforts to protect Ghana's groundwater systems, warning that growing environmental pressures threaten a vital source of water for millions of people.

The call was made at the National Stakeholder Meeting on Isotope Hydrology held at GAEC under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Technical Cooperation Project RAF 7024, "Accelerating the Use of Isotope Hydrology in Water Resources Management in Africa."

The meeting brought together researchers, policymakers, academics, regulators, water sector institutions and development partners to discuss how isotope hydrology coupled with other conventional techniques can support sustainable water resources management.

Delivering the welcome address on behalf of the Director-General of GAEC, Prof. Samuel Boakye Dampare, the Dean of the Graduate School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences (SNAS), Prof. Richmond Fianko, underscored the urgency of safeguarding Ghana's water resources in the face of increasing environmental threats.

"Water remains the single most important natural resource for human survival, yet it is also among the most threatened," he said.

He cited the impacts of degradation on rivers and other surface water bodies through illegal mining, poor waste management and unsustainable agricultural practices.

According to him, the growing pressure on surface water sources has made groundwater increasingly important for domestic, agricultural and industrial use.

“Isotope hydrology offers critical scientific tools for understanding how aquifers are recharged, assessing their vulnerability to pollution and saltwater intrusion, as well as supporting sustainable management strategies”, he added.

Prof. Fianko stressed that the protection of groundwater resources requires strong collaboration among stakeholders, noting that scientific research is most effective when supported by broad institutional participation and national ownership.

The Director of the National Nuclear Research Institute (NNRI) and Project Counterpart, Prof. Samuel Ganyaglo, in a short remark highlighted the strategic importance of the Volta Basin, describing it as a lifeline for millions of people through its contribution to agriculture, energy production and domestic water supply.

“Increasing water demand and climate-related pressures require more advanced scientific approaches to water resource management”, he said.

He further indicated that Ghana's isotope hydrology programme has grown significantly since the establishment of the Isotope Hydrology Laboratory in 2005 through a collaboration between GAEC, national stakeholders and the International Atomic Energy Agency.

"What began as a national initiative has evolved into a regional effort involving several African countries working within shared aquifers and river basins," he said.

Prof. Ganyaglo added that isotope techniques generate reliable scientific data that can support evidence-based policymaking and help protect groundwater and river systems for future generations and called on participants to engage actively in developing a unified roadmap for water security.

The IAEA Project Management Officer (PMO), Mr. Chukwudi Anyanwu, emphasized the need to strengthen the utilization of data generated through the project by research institutions, academia, and policymakers.

"Scientific findings must move beyond data generation to practical application in addressing water management challenges across Ghana and the wider Volta Basin," he said.

Mr. Anyanwu also posed a number of pertinent questions to participants to stimulate discussions and encourage the exchange of ideas on the effective implementation of the project.

Present at the national stakeholder meeting were researchers from the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), the Water Resources Commission (WRC), the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA), and the Water Research Institute (WRI) of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Other participants included representatives from academia, financial institutions, development partners, and policymaking bodies.

Participants reviewed findings from earlier phases of the IAEA-supported programme and discussed priorities for the current phase of the project, including the selection of study sites, sampling strategies, analytical requirements, and stakeholder roles. The engagement is expected to produce a coordinated framework for implementing isotope hydrology studies within the Volta Basin while strengthening Ghana's leadership in the application of nuclear technologies and other advanced scientific methods for sustainable water resources management in West Africa.

03/09/2026

GAEC-RAMSRI Launches 2026 Cancer Awareness Campaign with Call for Early Screening

The Radiological and Medical Sciences Research Institute (RAMSRI) of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), in collaboration with the GAEC Hospital, on Tuesday launched the 2026 Cancer Awareness and Screening Campaign with a call on Ghanaians to prioritise regular cancer screening for early detection.

25/08/2026

Photo Report: National Stakeholder Meeting on Isotope Hydrology Opens at GAEC

The National Stakeholder Meeting on Isotope Hydrologyopened at the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), bringing together relevant stakeholders to advance discussions on accelerating the use of isotope hydrology in water resource management.


The event, held under the auspices of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) RAF 7024 Project, brought together researchers, policymakers, academics, and development partners to discuss the applications of isotope hydrology and other cutting-edge techniques in sustainable water resource management.

The opening session featured remarks from the Director General of GAEC, Prof. Samuel Boakye Dampare, represented by the Dean of the Graduate School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences, Prof. Richmond Fianko; the Director of the National Nuclear Research Institute (NNRI), who doubles as the Project Counterpart, Prof. Samuel Ganyaglo; the IAEA Project Management Officer (PMO), Mr. Chukwudi Anyanwu and Prof. Seifu Kebede, who joined virtually. The speakers highlighted the importance of isotope techniques in understanding groundwater systems, assessing water quality, and supporting evidence-based decision-making in water resource management.

Researchers from the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, the Water Resources Commission (WRC), the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA), and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) engaged in presentations and discussions on current research, developments, challenges, and opportunities for strengthening water resource management in Ghana and the sub-region.

Discussions are expected to continue over the coming days, focusing on the selection of study sites, sampling strategies, analytical requirements, and the role of stakeholders in supporting the project's implementation.

21/08/2026

20/08/2026

The third US-Africa Nuclear Energy Summit under the theme Building and Sustaining the Nuclear Workforce’ is underway in Accra.

Participants and experts from the USA and the African continent have emphasized the need for skilled and competent workforce for the construction, operation and maintenance of the nuclear reactors for electricity generation.

19/08/2026

The venue is set for the USANES Conference, as participants and stakeholders arrive for the programme, with registration underway ahead of the conference activities.

19/08/2026

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10/08/2026

Ghana's Ambassador to Austria Visits GAEC

Ghana’s Ambassador to Austria and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Vienna, Her Excellency Matilda Aku Alomatu Osei-Agyeman has paid a working visit to the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) in Accra.
The visit gave the Ambassador the opportunity to familiarize herself with the Commission’s research activities, infrastructure, scientific expertise, and contributions to national development through nuclear science and related technologies.
Welcoming the Ambassador, the Director General of GAEC, Prof. Samuel Boakye Dampare, expressed his delight at receiving her at the Commission, describing the visit as significant in reinforcing the longstanding collaboration between GAEC and Ghana’s Mission in Vienna.
Prof. Dampare noted that the cordial relationship between GAEC and the Mission has played a pivotal role in advancing Ghana's participation in international nuclear cooperation and the activities of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
"We are honoured to welcome you to GAEC. Your support and the hospitality consistently extended to our staff whenever they visit Vienna are deeply appreciated. We are pleased that you have taken the opportunity to visit us and witness first-hand the breadth of work we undertake to support Ghana's socio-economic development through nuclear science and technology," he said.
Addressing GAEC Management, Ambassador Osei-Agyeman expressed appreciation to the leadership and staff of GAEC for the warm reception, noting that her decision to visit GAEC was motivated by her desire to gain a better understanding of the Commission's operations to represent Ghana more effectively at the IAEA and other international platforms.
"I have been in Vienna for a little over a year, and I felt it was important to come and see for myself what GAEC does. When I speak about Ghana's achievements in nuclear science and technology, I want to do so from first-hand knowledge," she stated.
She praised GAEC for its consistent technical support to Ghana's Mission in Vienna, highlighting that the Commission has always responded promptly whenever expert information was required for international engagements.
"Whenever I ask for guidance or technical information, it comes within record time. That support gives me confidence whenever I represent Ghana at international discussions," she noted.
She added that her visit would enable her to better appreciate the Commission's achievements, understand its challenges and improve advocacy for Ghana's nuclear science agenda on the international stage.
Delivering an overview of the Commission, the Deputy Director General of GAEC, Prof. Francis Hasford, highlighted the Commission's broad mandate and growing contribution to national development through research, innovation, capacity building and specialised technical services.
“Over the years, the Commission has screened more than 3,000 people for various cancers, trained hundreds of farmers and radiation professionals, monitored over 800 telecommunications base stations, tested hundreds of environmental samples for radioactivity and engaged thousands of students in science education programmes,” he stated.
He further highlighted GAEC's facilities, including the Ghana Research Reactor-1 (GHARR-1) Centre, Gamma Irradiation Facility, Secondary Standards Dosimetry Laboratory and the Radioactive Waste Management Centre, all of which support research, healthcare, industry, and food preservation.
Prof. Hasford expressed appreciation to the Ambassador for her continued support and was optimistic that the visit would open new opportunities for deeper collaboration between GAEC, Ghana's Mission in Vienna and the IAEA.
The Ambassador later toured selected facilities including the Ghana Research Reactor-1 (GHARR-1) Centre, the Personnel Dosimetry Laboratory, the Radioactive Waste Management Centre, the Accelerator Research Centre, the E2 Small Modular Reactor Simulation Centre, the GAEC AI Centre, the Plant Disease Research Centre and the Gamma Irradiation Facility to gain a first-hand appreciation of GAEC’s research, scientific infrastructure and innovative technologies.

10/08/2026

GAEC Governing Board Tours Commission Facilities

Chairman of the Governing Board of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), Prof. Abdulai Baba Salifu, led Board Members on a tour of the Commission's facilities in Accra yesterday.

The aim of the visit was to gain first-hand insights into ongoing research, innovations, facilities and operational conditions.

During the visit, the Board Members inspected various laboratories and facilities, including the Personnel Dosimetry Laboratory, Radon Laboratory, Secondary Standard Dosimetry Laboratory, Ghana Research Reactor-1 Centre, GAEC Basic Schools, Graduate School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences, Energy Exploration Centre, and the GAEC AI Centre.

They are expected to visit the Accelerator Research Centre, National Isotope Hydrology Centre, Marine Laboratory, National Data Centre, Radioactive Waste Management Centre, Genome Editing Laboratory, Gamma Irradiation Facility, and Tissue Culture Laboratory on a later date.

At a short briefing before the start of the tour, the Director-General of GAEC, Prof. Samuel Boakye Dampare, who, by convention, is also a member of the Board, gave an overview of the day's tour schedule. He noted that the engagement would help foster informed decision-making and provide strategic direction at the highest decision-making level of the Commission.

“I want to use this opportunity to thank you all for making time to familiarize yourself with the facilities and activities of the commission,” he added.

Speaking during the tour, the Board Chair commended staff of GAEC for their dedication to advancing nuclear science research despite the limited resources available.

“We are committed to supporting initiatives that strengthen GAEC’s role in the application of nuclear science and related technologies for the socio-economic development of Ghana in areas such as agriculture, healthcare, and industry,” the Chairman reaffirmed.

The tour provided an opportunity for Directors, Managers, and Scientists from the various Institutes of GAEC to brief the Board on current projects, achievements, and challenges facing their respective Institutes. It also formed part of the Board’s efforts to deepen its understanding of GAEC’s operations and ensure that the Commission remains well-positioned to contribute to national development through nuclear science and related technologies.

10/08/2026

The Ghana Atomic Energy Commission congratulates Hon. Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, MP, on your nomination as Minister-Designate for Environment, Science and Technology.

We wish you every success in this new role and look forward to your leadership in advancing Ghana's environment, science, and technology sectors.