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Ghacem Ltd has donated a modern equipment used for measuring radiation to the Physics Department of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) to boost its educational and research activities.
The equipment, known as Dosimetry, procured for more than GH¢230,000, is part of the commitment of Ghacem to help the university and the department to sharpen its research capacity and underscores the premier cement manufacturer’s commitment to scientific research collaborations with institutions.
Recently, the company sponsored a research project titled ‘Radiological Shielding Properties of Ghacem Cement’, which enabled students of the Physics Department of KNUST to explore the use of cement as a shielding material against radiation in the radiological industry.
The research project was to investigate and enhance the radio-mechanical shielding capabilities of Ghacem’s cement products.
Ghacem funded two MPhil students of the KNUST to conduct the research that validated the shielding effectiveness of cement-based materials.
The donation of the equipment, therefore, was to further boost the research activities of the Physics Department of the university.
The equipment will be instrumental in radiological shielding analysis, ensuring effective measurement and assessment of radiation protection materials.
A delegation from Ghacem presented the equipment to the school authorities at the premises of KNUST last week.
The Commercial Director of Ghacem, Kwasi Kyere, led the team to present the equipment which was received by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Rita Akosua Dickson, on behalf of the Physics Department, with the support of the Acting Head of the Department, Prof. David Dotse Wemegah.
The Ghacem team included the Human Resource Director, West Africa, Joel Lawson; the Product Management and Business Development Director, Francis Dabanka; the Quality Manager, John Teye Ohipeni, and the Lead, Marketing and Public Relations, Frank Antwi Agyapong.
Speaking at the event, the Vice-Chancellor emphasised the significance of research collaboration, stating: “For us as a university, this partnership aligns with our four core pillars: Quality and relevant research, Impactful teaching, Entrepreneurship training, and Community engagement.”
Prof. Dickson said radiation exposure posed health risks, and as such research into effective shielding materials was critical in ensuring safety and contributed to improving lives and enhancing societal well-being.
For his part, Mr Kyere expressed the company’s enthusiasm for partnering in research activities, reaffirming Ghacem’s commitment to education, science and technology.
“KNUST has consistently demonstrated leadership in research and technological advancement. We are proud to contribute to various research projects, especially this radio-mechanical shielding capabilities of Ghacem’s cement products, which has the potential to impact various industries, particularly in radiological protection,” the Commercial Director of Ghacem said.
The Quality Manager at Ghacem said: “This is a critical project for us. We are optimistic about the findings and hope that Ghacem cement will be widely utilised in constructing radiation-shielded infrastructure, including X-ray units across the country”.
Representing the department, Prof. Eric Clement Desmond Kotei Addison, who doubles as the Head Medical Physicist at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, also highlighted the research’s relevance, especially as Ghana explored nuclear energy initiatives.
“As the country moves towards nuclear energy, the need for effective shielding materials becomes paramount,” he stated.
