Zanetor Orders Audit of Ministry Assets to Prevent Encroachment
Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, has directed a comprehensive audit of assets belonging to agencies under her ministry to strengthen their management and prevent encroachment. During a working visit to institutions under the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) in Accra last Thursday, she cautioned that no agency should dispose of land or other assets without first informing her. “No agency should sell any assets or land without first telling me; we need to safeguard our assets in the national interest,” she said. She also called for greater public awareness of GAEC’s contributions to healthcare, food security, mining, environmental monitoring and scientific research, urging the commission to protect its observatory and make it more accessible to young people interested in science.
The minister also raised concerns about radiation safety, radon exposure and the need to enforce buffer zones around telecommunications infrastructure. She urged relevant authorities to accelerate the development of safeguards and guidelines for managing radiation risks, while emphasising the importance of retaining skilled personnel at GAEC, given the lengthy training required to develop nuclear science specialists. On artificial intelligence, she called for effective human oversight in sensitive nuclear operations and adequate regulatory frameworks to guide emerging technologies. Meanwhile, GAEC officials outlined Ghana’s preparations for nuclear power, including site identification, community engagement, specialist training and engagement with technology vendors. The commission also cited inadequate research funding, high utility costs and ageing laboratory facilities as challenges requiring urgent attention, while reaffirming its commitment to advancing nuclear science and technology for national development.
