Train more nuclear scientists - Prof. Bekoe

Accra, Sept. 11, GNA - Professor Adzei Bekoe, Chairman of Council of State on Tuesday said there was the need to train more scientists, physicists and mathematicians to man nuclear facilities such as nuclear power plants, which is being used in many countries to address the series of electricity shortfalls being experienced recently. He said in that direction government should provide adequate funds to establish a National Accelerator Laboratory to enhance the application of nuclear science.

He said the provision of the Accelerator facility would also help in the formulation of national policies and promote the efficient analysis of archaeological and forensic materials. Prof. Bekoe was speaking when he chaired the first technical meeting on enhancing nuclear science education and training using accelerators organised by Ghana Atomic Energy Commission in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Accra.

He said, "For a country like Ghana, smuggling of historical artefacts, narcotics, diamonds, is quite a serious problem. With Accelerator based techniques, fingerprinting of these materials through determination of elemental composition is possible." Accelerator facilities play a significant role in pollution assessment and the identification of trace and minor elements in agricultural products, soil and biomedicine. In addition, such facilities will play a major role in the training of a wide variety of scientists.

The four-day training for 15 participants drawn from Ghana, Nigeria, India, Austria and Mexico will enable participants to share views, exchange ideas on accelerator related issues, review issues related to nuclear science education and research, identify and highlight issues related to regional and international collaborators to give IAEA a better understanding on the needs and concerns of interested countries.

Prof. Fredrick Rodrigues, Dean of the Faculty of Science of the University of Ghana, Legon said ion beam accelerators offered a broad range of nuclear applications in areas such as heritage, human health, environment and industry as well manpower development in areas such as radiation detection, nuclear instrumentation and vacuum systems. "In recognition of the potential of ion beam accelerators to build knowledge and expertise, many developing countries are increasing investments in this enabling technology", he added.

Prof. Edward Akaho, Director-General of GAEC said his outfit has had its proposal for the establishment of an accelerator facility for sustainable development approved by IAEA.

He said the project would serve as a central nuclear facility to complement existing nuclear facilities and also help university students, researchers and research institutions in their work. Prof. Akaho commended IAEA for providing financial assistance to six Ghanaian nuclear scientists to undertake a fellowship programme in accelerator technology and appealed to Ghana government to provide funds for cost sharing with IAEA for the acquisition of the main accelerator equipment, which he hoped to be ready by the end of 2009. He explained that the equipment would help facilitate the solution of environmental problems as related to pollution assessment and control, improve human health delivery services and determine the elemental composition of flora and fauna, soil infertility, micronutrient uptake for maternal and infant health. "I have no doubt that the data generated from these studies will assist in national policy formulation for socio-economic development of the various sectors of the country".