The Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Environment, Science and Technology, Yaw Frimpong Addo, has described the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) as the “epicentre of solutions” to many of Ghana’s developmental challenges.
He expressed both optimism and concern after listening to a presentation on GAEC’s work in nuclear science and its wide-ranging applications across health, agriculture, water resource management, oil and gas, energy, telecommunications, and industry.
“GAEC is the epicentre of solutions to many of our national problems. I cringed when I heard the presentations on your mandate, research outcomes, and technologies, because despite the solutions available, the Commission is not receiving the support it deserves,” Addo said.
He cited, for instance, how a nuclear facility in another country is used to preserve bananas for up to six months without spoilage, contrasting it with Ghana’s persistent post-harvest losses despite having similar facilities.
Addo, who is also the Member of Parliament for Manso Adubia, made these remarks last Friday during a working visit by the Committee to the Commission’s headquarters at Kwabenya in Accra.
The visit formed part of the Committee’s oversight responsibilities and aimed to deepen engagement with scientific institutions to support national development.
The delegation was received at the School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences (SNAS), where a comprehensive presentation highlighted GAEC’s contributions to solving real-world problems through the peaceful application of nuclear science and technology.
Following the briefing, the Committee toured several of GAEC’s laboratories and research facilities. Members were also shown portions of the Commission’s land currently under threat from encroachment.
At one of the affected sites, the Committee expressed deep concern over the illegal activities of land guards, who had taken over parts of the Commission’s land and begun constructing buildings. The land guards fled upon seeing the Committee members and the military personnel accompanying them.
With military support, the Committee oversaw the dismantling of some unauthorised structures and confiscated construction equipment found at the site. The Committee pledged continued support to the Commission in protecting its lands and addressing the encroachment menace.
During an interaction with staff, GAEC raised concerns about inadequate funding and limited revenue generation due to the standardised Fees and Charges regime set by Parliament. This framework, they noted, prevents the Commission from charging commercial rates for critical services.
In response, Addo assured GAEC of the Committee’s readiness to address the issue.
“If the Commission cannot get the financial support it needs through direct government allocation, then it is necessary to take a second look at the Fees and Charges structure applicable to GAEC,” he stated.
He also urged GAEC to intensify its public education and stakeholder engagement efforts to raise awareness of its innovations and attract broader support.
“Let people know what GAEC is doing. If someone out there needs your services and doesn’t know you exist, that’s a problem,” Addo emphasised.
He encouraged the Commission to maintain close communication with Parliament, particularly when drafting science-related policies, and pledged the Committee’s continued support.
“If you’re developing science-related policies or need legislative backing, just prompt us. The onus lies on us to champion the cause of GAEC and other scientific institutions. Our doors are open. We need more engagement and collaboration to fast-track the country’s development.”
The Ranking Member of the Committee, Professor Hamza Adam, who is also the MP for Kumbungu, commended GAEC for its work and called for renewed attention to the challenges facing the Commission.
He stressed the vital role of science in national development but noted that its appreciation remains low—even among some Members of Parliament.
Professor Adam attributed this gap to the technical nature of scientific research, which can be difficult for non-scientists to understand and grasp. He therefore urged GAEC to simplify its communication and make its work more accessible.
“Science must be communicated in a way that people can connect with. When the public and decision-makers understand its value, they are more likely to support it,” he said.
Established in 1963, GAEC is Ghana’s foremost institution for nuclear science research and its application to sustainable development. Its work spans key areas including radiotherapy and cancer treatment, food security and preservation, water quality assessment, and clean energy research.
