The Chief Executive Officer of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), Ing. Benjamin Arthur, has conducted working visits to the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) and the Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NRA) in a bid to enhance collaboration with key institutions in Ghana.

The visit aimed to provide the FWSC with valuable insight into the operations of the two organisations and to understand the concerns of the workforce, particularly regarding their conditions of service.

GAEC Collaboration

The meeting at GAEC offered an opportunity for the institution to showcase its technological and scientific innovations, such as gamma irradiation and Black Soldier Fly Technology, both of which offer significant benefits in agriculture and waste management.

In his remarks, the Director General (DG) of GAEC, Prof Samuel B. Dampare, highlighted the commission's outstanding progress in sectors such as health, agriculture, medicine, industry, and space science.

He noted that GAEC is globally recognised as one of the leading institutions contributing to sustainable nuclear science and technology.

Prof Dampare explained that GAEC had been strategically established with a focus on research and development, innovation, technology transfer, human resource development, education, and training.

Innovations

Associate Professor Francis Hasford, Director of the Radiological and Medical Sciences Research Institute (RAMSIR) at GAEC, provided an overview of the Commission’s 62-year history and its dedication to the positive use of nuclear and allied sciences for national development.

He outlined that GAEC has seven technical institutes and five directorates, contributing to key sectors such as food and agriculture, health and safety, and energy and power.

Prof Hasford also highlighted technological innovations in agriculture, including gamma irradiation, which extends the shelf life of perishable food items, and Black Soldier Fly Technology, which presents significant business opportunities in agriculture and waste management.

The Director for Commercialisation and Communication, Nana Boateng, explained that GAEC is working on protecting and managing the intellectual property of its research output while promoting the transfer of technology to the private sector, in line with the government’s agenda for industrial development.

NRA Engagement

Dr Nii Kwashie Allotey, Director General of the NRA, welcomed the Fair Wages delegation and discussed the NRA’s role in regulating the use of nuclear and other radioactive materials in Ghana, ensuring the protection of the public, patients, and workers from harmful radiation effects.

As Ghana moves towards nuclear power generation, Dr Allotey emphasised that the NRA plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and security of future plants.

He also highlighted the high attrition rate within the authority, which he attributed to low remuneration, noting that this could have dire consequences for the authority’s work if the trend persists.

The NRA, which had a staff strength of 95 in 2022, now only employs 78 workers. Dr Allotey explained that it takes considerable time and resources to train specialists, and filling vacant positions is costly.

He stressed the need for improved conditions of service to reduce attrition and support the country’s development in nuclear power generation.

Prof Emmanuel Ampomah-Amoako, Director of the Nuclear Installations Directorate at the NRA, discussed the authority's activities, which include developing regulations, reviewing applications, conducting regulatory inspections, and ensuring compliance with nuclear and radiation safety standards.

He noted that key sectors in Ghana using radiation include agriculture, health, education/research, construction, telecommunications, archaeology, power, oil and gas, mining, and law enforcement.

The NRA also plays a vital role in national security, preventing unauthorised access to radioactive materials and ensuring the safety of the public, workers, and the environment.

Commitment to Fair Compensation Practices

Ing. Arthur reiterated the FWSC’s commitment to working with all stakeholders to address concerns and promote fair compensation practices in Ghana.

He encouraged the NRA to revise its scheme of service to reflect various grades and create a more equitable salary structure.

Better Conditions of Service

A key topic of discussion at both meetings was the conditions of service in the two institutions, which have led to high attrition rates due to low remuneration. Ing. Arthur reaffirmed the FWSC's commitment to collaborating with all stakeholders to address these concerns and improve compensation practices in Ghana.

He urged both GAEC and the NRA to reconsider their schemes of service to accommodate different grades and establish a more compensatory salary structure.

The parties agreed to continue their collaboration and take proactive steps to address the challenges related to salaries and conditions of service.