The Chairman of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC), Christopher T. Hanson, has led a team from the commission on a two-day working visit to the Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NRA) in Ghana.
The purpose of the visit was to interact with the management and staff of the NRA and reaffirm the commitment to close cooperation on nuclear safety and regulation with the country.
During the visit, discussions took place between the Director-General of NRA, Dr. Nii Kwashie Allotey, and Ghanaian officials including the Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Kwaku Afriyie, and Deputy Minister of Energy, William Owuraku-Aidoo.
The talks covered advancements in radiological regulation and nuclear safety, as well as opportunities to enhance the bilateral relationship between the two regulatory bodies.
Mr. Hanson praised the NRA staff for their efforts in ensuring regulations, safety, and secure usage of nuclear power and radioactive materials. He emphasized that the visit aimed to strengthen the relationship as Ghana explored nuclear power for energy needs and expanded the use of radioactive materials in various sectors.
Highlighting the importance of transparency, Mr. Hanson mentioned that nuclear regulators should maintain independence from advocacy positions to ensure public trust.
He emphasized the USNRC’s commitment to transparency and public involvement in its safety decisions.
Dr. Allotey expressed appreciation for the visit and reiterated the NRA’s commitment to collaboration with the USNRC to enhance capacity-building efforts.
The visit underscores the collaboration between Ghana and the US in the field of nuclear safety and regulation, fostering technical competence and regulatory independence.