Bring Your Vast Experiences On Board To Held Drive Vision Of GAEC To High Esteem ...Professor Samuel Boakye Dampare Urges Board
Prof. Dickson Adomako also was inducted as the Deputy Director-General of GAEC. They both swore the Oath of Office and Secrecy administered by the Board Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Kwaku Aning, who adorned them with stoles.
Freeman Koryekpor Awlesu Greater 
Professor Samuel Boakye Dampare has been inducted into office as the Director-General (DG) of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), with a call on members of the GAEC Board to be an endeavor to bring their vast experiences on board to drive the vision of Commission to the high esteem.
Prof. Dickson Adomako also was inducted as the Deputy Director-General of GAEC.
They both swore the Oath of Office and Secrecy administered by the Board Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Kwaku Aning, who adorned them with stoles.
The former DG, Prof. Benjamin J.B. Nyarko presented a sword and a key to signify his official handing over to the new DG.
The ceremony attracted Vice-Chancellors and Presidents of tertiary institutions, former Director Generals of GAEC, and their deputies, the clergy, religious leaders, faculty and students of the School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences, friends and families of the two professors.
The outgoing Director-General, Prof. B.J.B Nyarko handing over the key of office to the in-coming Director-General, Professor Samuel Boakye Dampare.
Dr. Aning, in his opening remarks, said it was the first time in the annals of the commission that a DG and his deputy were being sworn into office.
The Board Chairman stated that by laying down the procedures and purposes of the commission, a search committee was duly constituted in 2021 to propose a successor to the former DG.
The Commission’s Board Chairman said in November last year, the report of the search committee was considered and approved the appointment of Prof. Dampare as the Director-General of the Commission and Prof. Adomako as his deputy.
Dr. Aning said the DG was answerable to the Commission’s Board and as the Chief Disciplinary Officer responsible for the day-to-day administration, research, development, and education functions of the Commission as conferred on him by the GAEC Act 2000.
He said the Deputy DG shall perform any other function assigned by the Director-General and commended the Board for getting competent and visionary professors to head the Commission.
Prof. Dampare in his inaugural address commended the search committee for allowing him to serve the Commission and Prof. Emeritus E. H. K. Akaho, Prof. A.W.K. Kyere, Prof. Amuasi, Prof.Tsugio Shibata, and Prof. Daniel Asiedu whose encouragement, support, and guidance brought him this far.
His tenure, he stated commenced a new era of leadership and the very high expectations of the Commission to advance and excel within the global scientific research and development.
The DG said the Commission had made remarkable progress in health, agriculture, medicine, industry water resources management, and space science and recognized globally as one of the leading institutions contributing to sustainable nuclear science and technology.
According to him, their induction into office
commences a new era of leadership at the GAEC and added that his vision was to have GAEC become “globally recognized, nationally relevant, result-focused and an entrepreneurial scientific research organization in the field of nuclear and allied sciences and applications.”
Prof. Dampare indicated that GAEC is strategically established with a focus on research and development, innovation and technology transfer, human resource development, education and training, commercialization, and the promotion of nuclear power into Ghana’s energy ministry.
He pledged to promote an inter-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary approach to research to address, promote the transfer of technology to the private sector, strengthen the capabilities of identified laboratories as well as establish a research and innovation fund to support the government’s agenda of industrial development.
"My Vision Mr. Chairman, Distinguished Ladies, and Gentlemen, looking back, the Commission has made remarkable progress in Health, Agriculture, Medicine, Industry, Water Resources Management and Space Science in Ghana and beyond concerning the application of nuclear and allied technologies. It is worth noting that the GAEC is recognized nationally and internationally as one of the leading institutions contributing to sustainable nuclear science and technology within Africa.
"We would, therefore, as part of our vision consolidate and build on the progress and achievements so far and anchor our strategies in a collective determination to re-position the Commission as a world-class scientific research institution.
"On this premise, Mr. Chairman, my vision is to have GAEC become a globally recognized, nationally relevant, results-focused, and entrepreneurial scientific research organization in the field of nuclear and allied sciences and applications.
"The above vision interlocks with the long-term strategic goal of the Commission, i.e., to become ‘’the leading organization contributing to sustainable national prosperity through the effective utilization of nuclear and other related technologies.
"This is in line with our purpose and overall intention to develop and promote peaceful utilization of nuclear, biotechnology, and other related technologies for socio-economic development as well as for advising the government on policies related to the peaceful application of these technologies,' he outlined.
Notwithstanding any challenges or hurdles they may face in pursuit of these aspirations, Prof. Dampare noted that GAEC will not relent and that they will not underestimate the importance of their contribution towards national development.
He stressed that they will put in their very best and will give utmost consideration to working to address the multifaceted national and global challenges as pacesetters and achievers, adding that "This will be our charge and I intend to lead it passionately."
"My Strategic Focus Areas Mr. Chairman, Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen, the vision of the Commission is underpinned by the following strategic priorities: Research and Development, Innovation and Technology Transfer; Human Resource Development – Education and Training; Commercialisation and Funding; Strategic Partnership; Physical and Infrastructural Development; and Promotion of Nuclear Power into Ghana’s Energy Mix.
"During my tenure, GAEC will celebrate its 60th anniversary since its founding, and while we can be very proud of our achievements thus far, there is no doubt we can do a lot more, given the right resources and mindset, Prof. Dampare further assured.
He highlighted some of the key strategic initiatives that must be undertaken to help push the Commission’s agenda.
He pointed out that he intends that they will be carried out within the broader framework of the next cycle of the GAEC’s Corporate Strategic Plan 2022–2026.
He indicated that he would intend to lead the Commission to attain the following outlined strategic initiatives in the short, medium, and long-terms: Promote inter-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary approach to research and development (R&D) and encourage the formation of research teams across Institutes of GAEC aimed at solving pertinent national socio-economic problems.
Additionally, Prof. Dampare mentioned that they will engage in values-based research and development activities that broadly address the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
According to him, they will also promote the transfer of technology to the private or government sectors or industry players for business process enhancements.
"We will work to strengthen the capabilities of some identified laboratories and facilities within the various Institutes to become Centres of Excellence or Choice for hosting scientists and Fellows as well as for analytical services.
"We will also establish a research and innovation fund to support scientists in their quest to develop relevant technologies to support the government agenda for Industrial development. Develop human resources through education and training to equip, and empower all staff categories with relevant skills, knowledge, and abilities suitable for their various roles at GAEC,' Prof. Dampare stressed.
Through continuous education and training, he asserted that they shall promote knowledge transfer to reduce the knowledge gap between experienced nuclear professionals and younger inexperienced staff to manage and effectively utilize nuclear technology.
According to him, they will implement a comprehensive Continuous Professional Development scheme for all categories of staff to improve productivity.
He stressed that "We shall also promote gender equality and facilitate the participation of women in nuclear technology programs. We will provide the needed support to GAEC’s Women in Nuclear Association to function effectively."
He indicated that his administration will
encourage women scientists to rise to the top and occupy higher positions in the Commission.
He added that "We will Reinforce and redouble our efforts to diversify funding sources and increase our internally generated funds (IGF) for capital expenditure and infrastructural projects, as well as properly manage the financial resources (from government, donor support, and grants; IGF) and engage in financial discipline."
He stated that Commission will promote mutually beneficial Private Public Partnership (PPP) and optimize the operations of non-scientific business units as well as implement the Commercialisation and Communication Policy. Mr. Chairman, the Commission is uniquely positioned and has the experience to host a successful business incubator.
He assured that the commission will establish a Centre for Innovation and Business Incubation (CIBI) to promote innovation and entrepreneurship with the ultimate aim of earning income to support the research and development activities of the Commission and at the same time facilitate the creation of jobs for the youth.
He envisioned that the CIBI will leverage all the resources that are available within the various Institutes of GAEC to provide a platform for incubating business ideas in areas where GAEC has a competitive advantage.
According to him, the commission will build strategic alliances and partnerships with national, regional, and international collaborators and partners for Ghana to fulfill its obligations on nuclear safety, security, safeguards, and environmental protection.
He noted that the commission under his administration would build the necessary capacity for the introduction of nuclear power into Ghana’s energy mix, and utilizing nuclear and allied techniques in health, agriculture, commerce, and industry.
The Commission would Improve the corporate image and credibility of GAEC by among others, upgrading and maintaining an attractive website for publicity of GAEC programs nationally and globally, stating that "We will ensure the propagation of GAEC’s achievements on all social media outlets to boost visibility and loyalty. "
