Development of a national waste management infrastructure in Ghana

Radioisotope applications in medicine, research and industry in Ghana is on the increase. Existing waste management infrastructure is inadequate to cope with the problems of radioactive wastes. With expanded use of a nuclear research reactor, gamma irradiation facility, radiotherapy and nuclear medicine, waste management practices are being reorganized with the requisite trained manpower, equipment and supporting facilities. Under a new programme, a radioactive waste management committee has been set up to advise the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission on the establishment of a National Waste Management Infrastructure. With an expert advice under RAF/9/007, AFRA-I project, a draft regulation has been submitted for study and promulgation by the Commission. In the proposed legislation, a radioactive waste management centre will be established which shall be capable of managing all radioactive wastes in the country. Regulatory control of waste management activities will be the primary responsibility of the Radiation Protection Board (RPB). The waste management infrastructure envisaged to be developed for effective waste management control is discussed. (author). 6 refs, 1 fig., 1 tab