Accra, Dec. 7, GNA - The Radiation Protection Institute (RPI) in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), on Monday opened a five-day regional training course to train radiological experts in emergencies and appropriate responses.

The course, which is being attended by participants from Ghana, Tanzania, Zambia, Libya, Nigeria, Sudan, Uganda and Zimbabwe, would afford them the opportunity to share ideas, collaborate and work as a team to ensure the safety and security of radioactive materials in Africa. Mr Sylvester Mensah, Acting Chief executive, National Health Insurance Authority, at the opening of the course, said radiation disaster was a possibility for which Ghana and all other nations must be prepared. He said there was the need for efficient and effective response systems, including infrastructure and financial components, emergency plans, procedures and internally consistent operational criteria to be critically factored into the guidelines on developing relevant national capabilities in radiological emergencies.

The course, which is on the topic; "Application of International Requirements in Radiological Emergency Preparedness and Response and Guidance on Developing Relevant National Capabilities," formed part of efforts by the IAEA to strengthen control of powerful radioactive sources to protect them against falling into wrong hands. Mr Mensah noted that like many other things, radioactive materials including X-ray machines used in health institutions and in other sectors of the economy, and others used in the agricultural sector, could be both beneficial and harmful at the same time to individuals and to society at large. "These radioactive materials though have been used for decades for diagnosing and treating illnesses, monitoring oil wells and water aquifers, when they are found in the hands of wrong persons, and used wrongly, could be catastrophic." Mr Mensah said the importance of developing standards and procedures for the protection of health and the environment in the event of a radiological emergency was critical, while ensuring an efficient and "ready to act" healthcare system as an important part in the emergency preparedness.

He said the National Health Insurance Scheme in Ghana was well positioned to provide its members with access to vital healthcare services they may need in the likely and unlikely event should such disasters occur. Mr Mensah called on Parliament to ensure that it ratified all the international conventions to ensure radiation security in the country. According to Mr Kofi Portuphy, National Co-ordinator, National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), the organization had used various preparedness plans to halt disasters that would have resulted from survey of land sites intended for residential housing projects. He said NADMO would soon be given adequate legislative empowerment by a new bill being processed into a law, to request institutions to submit their emergency plans for scrutiny and also supervise drills and exercises. Mr Portuphy commended the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) for its tremendous role in ensuring radiological security and safety at both institutional levels as well in the commercial sectors. He said the training should mark the beginning of stronger collaboration among IAEA member countries in the area of information sharing, while ensuring the mainstreaming of applications of international requirement in radiological emergency preparedness and responses into national planning and programmes.

Professor Edward Akaho, Director General, GAEC, thanked the IAEA for its continuous support in ensuring radiological safety in the region. He said the training would help build the capabilities of radiological experts as trainers, extend knowledge to others in the continent in managing disasters and particularly respond promptly and efficiently to radiological emergencies. 7 Dec. 09