Steps to combat illegal trafficking of nuclear materials (28/01/09)

Story: Gifty Bamfo & Jennifer Dornoo
THE International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in collaboration with the Radiation Protection Institute of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), has begun a programme to build the capacities of member countries to combat illicit trafficking of nuclear materials.
As part of the programme, a three-day seminar is being organised to create awareness among member states on the need to establish adequate legal and technical nuclear security infrastructure and improve radiation monitoring capabilities at the borders.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Finance Director of the Ministry of Education, Mr Joseph Afranie, commended the IAEA for its continuous role in assisting member states in addressing the nuclear security challenges.
He noted that the IAEA had been able to increase awareness on the importance of establishing an adequate legal and technical nuclear security infrastructure in member states.
“IAEA has improved preparedness in member states to address the risk of malicious acts involving nuclear and other radioactive materials,” he said.
The Finance Director called for “new approaches and strategies to counter the complexity and ingenuity of the threats facing the world today and the nuclear society in particular”.
He, however, called on competent authorities in all states to respond to the threat of theft of nuclear materials and illicit trafficking information with all the means within their power.
He expressed the hope that the seminar would serve as an opportunity for effective international co-operation towards achieving improved nuclear security in the sub-region.
Mr Afranie urged participants to “pay attention to the seminar so that you can contribute towards achieving the set of goals of nuclear security in the world”.
The Director General of the GAEC, Prof E. H. K. Akaho, assured member states of the government’s commitment to the multilateral treaty on nuclear safeguards and other legal instruments, including those which have not yet been ratified.
“We will also ensure that whilst developing and promoting nuclear science and technology, nuclear safety and security are not comprised,” he said.
The seminar is being attended by 27 scientists from Ghana, Sierra Leone, Seychelles, Mali, Togo, Nigeria and Burkina Faso.