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Two Declare War On Radioactive Materials |
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The Customs Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) and the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) have introduced stringent security measures to check the illicit import and export of radioactive materials in and out of the country. |
In line with that, GAEC has provided radioactive monitors worth $30,000 to CEPS to be used at entry and exit points across the country.
The two bodies have also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to co-operate in other areas relating to the import and export control of radioactive substances.
At a ceremony in Accra yesterday, the Commissioner of CEPS, Mr Emmanuel Doku, noted that “smuggling of radioactive materials for subversive and terrorist activities are on the ascendancy and this is where customs administrations have a front-line role to play to nip such activities in the bud”.
He said under the MoU, CEPS officers would be trained and equipped with portal radiation detectors to enable them to detect radioactive materials and handle such situations in collaboration with GAEC, which is the statutory body mandated to handle nuclear security matters in the country.
The MoU clearly defines the roles and responsibilities of the Radiation Protection Board of GAEC, as well as those of CEPS, in relation to the import and export of radiation sources.
It also establishes clear working guidelines on the actions to be taken by the respective parties to ensure protection against radiation and safety and the security of radiation sources.
For his part, the Director-General of GAEC, Professor Edward Akaho, said that worldwide events such as the September 11, 2001 disaster had prompted the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and other member states to respond effectively to the threat caused by the illicit trafficking of nuclear and radioactive materials.
“As a result, physical protection and security of nuclear materials and radioactive substances have gained new dimensions and surfaced as one of the most important issues requiring enhanced international co-operation and closer regional co-ordination,” he added.
He said in addition to presenting radioactive monitoring and detecting equipment to CEPS, GAEC would also offer training to CEPS officers on the monitoring and detection of radioactive substances.
Prof. Akaho said the detection monitors would be used effectively to protect the population and the environment against nuclear and radiological acts of terrorism in order to upgrade border monitoring and raise the standard of security in the country.
He said nuclear security issues, particularly high radioactive materials, should be handled professionally to avoid rampant injuries suffered by radiation workers and the public at large.
“New approaches and strategies to counter the complexity and ingenuity of the threats facing member states in general and the nuclear community in particular are, therefore, of uttermost necessity in these times than ever before,” Prof. Akaho remarked.
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