(POS-57) Approach to Nuclear Security Education and Training in Ghana: The Role of the School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences, University of Ghana

Paul Amoah – Lectuerer, Nuclear Safety and Security, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission/ School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences, University of Ghana-Atomic Campus

Ghana is advancing its nuclear power initiatives, with construction projected to begin by 2030. A crucial aspect of this development is establishing education and training programs to cultivate technical expertise necessary for an effective nuclear security regime. Significant investments have been made in nuclear safety and security education to support both future nuclear programs and existing facilities that utilize radiation sources. The Department of Nuclear Safety and Security, part of the School of Nuclear and Allied Science (SNAS), was established in 2006 through a collaboration between the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission and the University of Ghana. It offers MPhil and PhD programs in Health Physics and Radiation Protection, alongside an IAEA-sponsored Postgraduate Education Course in Radiation Protection and Safety of Radiation Sources, as well as short courses in nuclear security. A major challenge in implementing postgraduate nuclear security programs in developing countries is meeting national accreditation requirements and ensuring job prospects for graduates. In response, the Department has integrated Nuclear Security as both core and elective courses within its existing curricula. Over the years, it has educated more than 100 MPhil and PhD graduates, many of whom now form the core human resource base for Ghana's Nuclear Regulatory Authority and its Technical Support Organizations (TSOs). These graduates are making significant contributions to their respective regulatory bodies across the African region. This approach to nuclear security education at the graduate level has emerged as a sustainable model for developing countries. The department is committed to providing a robust national human resource development program in nuclear security, essential for ensuring the continuity of nuclear knowledge and skills and facilitating the transfer of expertise to future generations of nuclear professionals in Ghana. In this paper, the approach, gains and challenges of nuclear safety and security education and training for nuclear professionals in Ghana is discussed.