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The Chief Executive of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), Mr Benjamin Arthur, has paid working visits to the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) and the Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NRA) to strengthen collaboration and address concerns regarding conditions of service.
The meetings allowed FWSC to gain insight into the operations of the two institutions and understand the challenges their workforce faces.
Mr Arthur reaffirmed FWSC’s commitment to working with stakeholders to improve salaries and working conditions.
He advised NRA and GAEC to review their schemes of service to properly reflect staff grades and create a fair salary structure.
The Director General of GAEC, Prof. Samuel B. Dampare, highlighted the institution’s contributions to health, agriculture, medicine, industry, and space science.
He noted that GAEC is recognised globally as a leading institution in sustainable nuclear science and technology.
GAEC, he explained, was established with a focus on research, innovation, and technology transfer. Associate Professor Francis Hasford, Director of the Radiological and Medical Sciences Research Institute, provided an overview of GAEC’s 62-year history, emphasising its role in nuclear and allied sciences for national development.
He stated that GAEC operates seven technical institutes and five directorates, supporting key sectors such as food and agriculture, health and safety, and energy and power.
Prof. Hasford pointed out that gamma irradiation helps extend the shelf life of perishable foods, while the Black Soldier Fly Technology creates business opportunities in agriculture and waste management.
The Director for Commercialisation and Communication, Nana Boateng, explained that GAEC was working to protect its research output through intellectual property management, and is focused on transferring technology to the private sector in order to support industrial development.
During the engagement with the NRA, the Director General, Dr Nii Kwashie Allotey, emphasised the authority’s role in regulating nuclear and radioactive sources in Ghana to protect the public, patients, and workers from radiation exposure.
He noted that as Ghana moves towards nuclear power generation, NRA’s role in ensuring safety and security becomes even more critical.
Dr Allotey raised concerns about the high attrition rate at NRA, attributing it to low remuneration.
He explained that in 2022, the authority had 95 staff members, but this number has now dropped to 78.
He stressed that training experts in this field requires significant time and resources, and losing skilled professionals comes at a high cost. He urged for improved conditions of service to retain staff and support Ghana’s nuclear power ambitions.
The Director of the Nuclear Installations Directorate at NRA, Prof. Emmanuel Ampomah-Amoako, outlined the authority’s activities, including developing regulations, reviewing applications, conducting inspections, and ensuring compliance with nuclear safety standards.
He stated that radiation applications are used in various sectors, including agriculture, health, education, construction, telecommunications, archaeology, power, oil and gas, mining, and law enforcement.
He emphasised the importance of NRA in national security, particularly in preventing unauthorised access to radioactive materials and ensuring public safety.
At GAEC, officials showcased technological and scientific innovations, including gamma irradiation and the Black Soldier Fly Technology, which provide benefits in agriculture and waste management.
