Encroachment poses threat to GAEC, encroachers

The Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) has issued a strong warning against the illegal acquisition of its lands, cautioning the public against purchasing from unauthorized sellers and encroachers.

In a statement signed by Anthony Nana Boateng, Director of the Commercialisation and Communication Directorate, GAEC highlighted that encroachment poses severe safety and security risks, especially given the sensitive nature of nuclear facilities in the area.

The commission revealed that vast portions of land designated for nuclear expansion have been taken over by individuals, some of whom are believed to be politically exposed persons. Of particular concern is the encroachment near the National Nuclear Waste Management Centre, which houses hazardous radioactive waste managed under Ghanaian law and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) regulations.

GAEC’s land was legally secured through Executive Instrument (EI 75) in 1973 to facilitate nuclear science research for national development. However, the commission has reported cases of individuals illegally breaking barricades near the Bohye Police Base Workshop and Ga-East Hospital, grading lands meant for an Electron Beam Irradiation Facility. This facility is crucial for enhancing food security, reducing post-harvest losses, and sterilizing medical and pharmaceutical products.

The commission emphasized Ghana’s commitment under international legal frameworks to protect its nuclear assets, warning that continued encroachment could damage the country’s reputation, especially as Ghana currently chairs the Board of Governors of the IAEA.

GAEC also raised concerns over illegal land acquisitions around the Ghana Radio Astronomy Observatory (GRAO) in Kuntunse, which has seen its designated land shrink from 163 hectares to just 30 hectares due to private developments. The observatory, launched in 2017, is vital for Ghana’s space science research and its role in global scientific collaborations.

The commission is urging authorities to act swiftly to prevent further encroachment, stressing that failure to do so could jeopardize Ghana’s nuclear and space research advancements.