By: Gloria Anderson
The Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Mr. Emmanuel Kofi Buah, has inaugurated a new Governing Board for the Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NRA), with a call on members to uphold transparency, accountability, and innovation in the discharge of their duties.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Accra, Mr. Buah congratulated the newly appointed board members and underscored the significance of their role in advancing Ghana’s long-term aspiration of developing a secure and reliable nuclear energy programme in line with the vision of President John Mahama
He said the establishment of the Authority under Act 895 of 2015 positioned it as the sole national body responsible for regulating the safe and peaceful application of nuclear and radiological materials in Ghana. This mandate, he noted, placed the NRA at the heart of safeguarding public health, protecting the environment, and ensuring that nuclear science and technology contribute meaningfully to national development.
“As members of the Governing Board, your responsibilities go beyond routine administration,” Mr. Buah stated. “You are expected to provide strategic direction that strengthens the Authority’s regulatory capacity, fosters innovation in nuclear governance, and enhances public trust in its decisions.”
The Minister urged the Board to ensure that its programmes and activities align with both national priorities and international safety obligations. He emphasised the importance of sound governance, transparency, and accountability in the Authority’s operations, saying these principles must underpin every action and decision.
Touching on institutional sustainability, Mr. Buah called on the NRA to explore innovative ways of generating internal revenue to ensure financial independence. “If you want to have the freedom to be ahead of the game, you must achieve financial freedom by exploring other avenues of generating funds for the Authority,” he stressed.
He further encouraged the Board to strengthen partnerships with institutions in the nuclear, health, energy, and research sectors, as well as adopt proactive regulatory approaches that anticipate emerging risks and opportunities.
According to Mr. Buah, the role of nuclear regulators is not to obstruct progress but to ensure that all nuclear-related activities are conducted safely, securely, and in line with international best practices. He said this was crucial to Ghana’s aspiration of safely introducing nuclear power into the national energy mix to guarantee energy security and drive economic growth.
“You must be the board that brings Ghana’s nuclear dreams into reality,” he charged. “The Nuclear Regulatory Authority must not only fulfil its statutory mandate but also become a model of excellence, transparency, and public trust.”
The board members are, Board Chairman, Dr. Seth Christopher Yaw Appiah, KNUST, Prof. Francis Otoo, Director General of the NRA,Member, Prof Nana Ama Browne Klutse, EPA, Member, Dr Christiana Subaar, KNUST, Member, Prof. Daniel K. Dziedzienyo, UG, Member, Prof. Bernadin Senadza, UG, Member.
In his remarks, the Director-General of the Nuclear Regulatory Authority, Professor Francis Otoo, described the inauguration as a pivotal moment in Ghana’s nuclear journey. He said the new Board’s formation would enhance transparency, strengthen institutional oversight, and advance the Authority’s reset agenda aimed at repositioning nuclear governance in the country.
Professor Otoo noted that the Authority’s responsibility was not only to regulate nuclear and radiological activities but also to promote public awareness about the safe and beneficial uses of nuclear technology. “We have the mandate to help Ghanaians appreciate the positive aspects of nuclear applications, what we call the ‘rays of hope’, particularly in health, agriculture, and energy,” he explained.
He reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to ensuring that all nuclear-related operations in Ghana are conducted lawfully, safely, and in accordance with international standards.
The inauguration marks a renewed phase in Ghana’s efforts to harness nuclear science and technology for sustainable development, as the country works toward integrating nuclear power into its energy mix.
