Cement manufacturer Ghacem Ltd. in partnership with the Department of Physics of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) is embarking on a research project that will see the scientific use of cement as a shielding material to reduce the impact of radiation in the radiological industry.

The Ghacem-sponsored research project titled: ‘Radiological Shielding Properties of GHACEM Cement’ aims to investigate and improve the radio-mechanical shielding properties of the GHACEM Cement Product. A light concrete slab is moulded and that will serve as a shielding material to protect personnel who work with radiation sources from the direct effects of radiation.

Shielding has become one of the critical issues in terms of X-ray facilities, nuclear medicine facility, nuclear power and radiotherapy facility. Lead has long been considered for radiation shielding in these facilities due to its attenuating properties but it’s worth noting that using Lead is expensive as such this research is timely to boost the local industry as Ghacem cement will be considered a cheaper alternative as a shielding material in these industries.

The research team from KNUST paid a working visit to Ghacem Tema factory last week, 13th September 2023 to present an update on the research and to interact with management on how best to facilitate the project. The team were engaged by top officials of the company including: The Technical Director, Mr. Okay Kilinc, the Commercial Director, Mr. Kwasi Kyere, the Quality Assurance Manager, Ing. John Teye Ohipeni, the Human Resource Director Cluster 1, Mr. Joel Lawson, the General Manager WAQL, Mr. Eric Amanor and other Managers of various sections of the company. The KNUST team were led by Dr. Eric Addison, Head Nuclear Science and Technology-Department of Physics, Dr. Martin Owusu-Mensah, Lecturer Department of Physics and Mr. Joseph Adom, Lecturer Department of Physics.

Speaking to newsmen after the presentations, Mr. Okay Kilinc, Ghacem’s Technical Director said that Ghacem as a company wants to bring out something useful and innovative for the country hence the partnership with KNUST on this project that seeks to use Ghacem cement as a shielding material/improving radiological shield.

“We expect that at the end of the project, Ghacem cement which is a made in Ghana product will be used to create radiological shields against X-rays or any radiological source to be used in the future nuclear power in Ghana or in the hospitals or research centres. Radioactive source is dangerous for humans so by avoiding the expensive method using Lead and replacing it with concrete to protect people against radioactivity is economically good.

“As the market leader in Ghana we would like to use more local/made in Ghana products. We want to stop importation as much as possible. We want to replace Lead which is a scarce product with light-weight concrete to protect people from radioactivity.

On his part Dr. Eric Addison, Head Nuclear Science and Technology-Department of Physics recalled that for some years now the team had been looking at the radiological shielding properties of cement products in the country. “We sampled cement from various companies looking at the shielding properties and we realized that Ghacem was very promising so we approached the company for partnership/support”.

“At the end of the research we hope to come out with the scientific characterization of the cement product and how we can improve on the shielding properties to both radiomechanical properties and to really show that Ghacem has something that makes the nuclear industry and radiological industry very promising in terms of shielding properties”.

Dr. Addison thanked Ghacem for its contribution to the Physics Department and the University. “This is what we want others to emulate. To really sponsor scientific projects that really have direct impact on the local economy”.