President J.A. Kufuor on Friday asked the new board members of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) not to continue with the atomic theories that had characterised the Commission since its inception about 40 years ago.

They should rather apply the theories to practical terms to make the Commission beneficial to the people, he said when he administered the official oath and oath of secrecy for the seven-member commission at the Castle, Osu.

He said the commission had remained a dream and Ghana had not benefited practically from it although a lot of resources had been spent on it to make it relevant to the development of the country. President Kufuor said government expected the board to offer good advice to justify the huge investments made.

"If you convince us that it is a viable venture, government will continue to assist. On the other hand if there are no practical returns then we cut our losses and do not continue to invest," he added.

Professor Daniel Adjei Bekoe, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana and Chairman of the commission, said the members shared the sentiments expressed by President Kufuor and pledged to take up the challenges to serve the country.

In another development President Kufuor has administered the official oath and oath of secrecy to the nine-member Board of Directors for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at the Castle, Osu.

He asked the members of the Board of Directors to preach to the conscience of the people in schools, churches and traditional councils and create awareness on the degradation of the environment.

President Kufuor called on them to accept the challenge that the country could now rely on them to work tirelessly to enable the people to appreciate the need to create a balance on the environment to sustain the society.

Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, Okyenhene and Chairman of the Board, said the members had accepted the challenge and the difficulties to work hard to serve the nation with dignity and honour.