Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA
An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team of experts has commended Ghana for its commitment to the continuous improvement of nuclear and radiation safety as the country advances its plans to develop a nuclear power programme. The team emphasized that maintaining the effective independence of the Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NRA) in making safety-related decisions is crucial and urged the Government to ensure this independence is upheld and protected.
The ten-day full scope Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) mission – that took place from 25 November to 4 December – was conducted at the request of the Government of Ghana and hosted by the NRA in Accra. It was the first IRRS mission conducted in the country. Its purpose was to perform a peer review of Ghana’s legal and regulatory framework for nuclear, radiation, radioactive waste and transport safety, as well as the interface between safety and nuclear security.
IRRS missions are designed to strengthen the effectiveness of the national nuclear and radiation safety regulatory infrastructure, based on IAEA Safety Standards and international good practices, while recognizing the responsibility of each country to ensure nuclear and radiation safety.
Ghana is embarking on a nuclear power programme and is currently conducting preparatory work to develop the required safety infrastructure for a nuclear power plant, including drafting national policies for nuclear and radiation safety, as well radioactive waste management. Ghana also uses nuclear and radiation technologies in healthcare, agriculture, research and industry.
The IRRS team – comprised of 14 regulatory experts from 13 countries, as well as three IAEA staff members – engaged primarily with the management and staff of the NRA, as well as with representatives from the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI) and the Ministry of Energy. Members of the IRRS team also undertook site visits to and observed regulatory inspection activities at the GHARR-1 Research Reactor facility, the Radioactive Waste Management Centre, an industrial facility using radiation sources and a hospital. During the site visits, the IRRS team members held discussions with management and staff of the facilities.
The IRRS team recognized that the NRA is committed to ensuring continuous improvement of safety and the protection of people and the environment. The IRRS team found that Ghana has affirmed its commitment to nuclear and radiation safety by initiating the development of its management system and regulatory guidance to ensure the consistent implementation of regulatory functions and activities, as well as by inviting an initial IRRS peer review mission.
“The efforts and constructive engagement of NRA staff during the peer review process enabled the IRRS team to gain a comprehensive understanding of Ghana’s regulatory framework,” said Thiagan Pather, IRRS mission Team Leader from the National Nuclear Regulator in South Africa. “As a country with ambitions for a nuclear power programme, it is important that the Government of Ghana and the Nuclear Regulatory Authority work together to deliver the improvements identified during the mission.”
The IRRS team highlighted Ghana’s commitment to safety, in line with international best practices through:
- Establishing the NRA as an independent nuclear regulatory authority;
- Delivering on Ghana’s national obligations under the various international instruments for nuclear and radiation safety;
- Initiating the strengthening of the regulatory framework for nuclear and radiation safety through the development of regulations and guides; and
- Providing support and advocacy for the NRA, through the provision of financial and human resources commensurate with the current national nuclear and radiation programme. This commitment aims to further enhance the regulatory capacity in line with the expanding nuclear power programme, enabling the NRA to grow its capability and capacity to maintain effective regulatory control of all nuclear and radiation facilities and activities in Ghana.
The IRRS team considers that Ghana’s primary challenge is the completion and issuance of regulations and guides to support the consistent and stable implementation of the National Regulatory Act, considering both the existing nuclear and radiation programme in the country and the envisaged nuclear power programme.
Recommendations and suggestions for further improvement include:
- The Government should establish and implement national policies strategies for safety and for radioactive waste management.
- The Government should ensure that all the elements for safety are established through legislation consistent with the IAEA Safety Standards.
- NRA should expedite the development and approval of the management system.
- NRA should establish and implement an enforcement policy and process, including criteria for corrective actions, for responding to non-compliance with regulatory requirements.
- NRA should develop an emergency plan and procedures for the functions assigned to it regarding preparedness and response to nuclear or radiological emergencies.
“The NRA appreciates the efforts of the IAEA to review its nuclear and radiation safety infrastructure within the context of this IRRS mission for Ghana,” said Aba Bentil Andam, NRA Board Chairperson. “The mission has provided the NRA with a clear understanding of the state of its regulatory infrastructure with reference to the IAEA Safety Standards. The results of the mission will be helpful to the NRA in its quest to improve the nuclear and radiation safety infrastructure to adequately ensure the protection of people and the environment.” The final mission report will be provided to the Government of Ghana in about three months.
“I am confident that the recommendations and suggestions by the IRRS review mission will be implemented by Ghana to strengthen their national regulatory framework for safety, and they intend to invite the IAEA for a follow-up mission within the next few years.” said Hildegarde Vandenhove, Director of the IAEA Division of Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety.
IAEA Safety Standards
The IAEA Safety Standards provide a robust framework of fundamental principles, requirements and guidance to ensure safety. They reflect an international consensus and serve as a global reference for protecting people and the environment from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation.