Ghana’s Minister of Environment, Science, Technology & Innovation, Emmanuel Kofi Buah, has inaugurated a new Governing Board for the Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NRA).
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. “As members of the Governing Board, your responsibilities go beyond routine administration,” he 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.
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 encouraged the Board to strengthen partnerships with institutions in the nuclear, health, energy, and research sectors, and to adopt proactive regulatory approaches that anticipate emerging risks and opportunities.
He said nuclear regulators should not obstruct progress but 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.”
NRA Director-General Professor Francis 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.
