Emeritus Professor Edward H.K. Akaho Decorated With ‘Order Of The Volta Officer' At National Honours

The outgoing President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at the 2024 National Honours and Awards Ceremony, has conferred the prestigious 'Order of the Volta Officer' Award on the Former Director-General for Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Emeritus Professor Edward H.K. Akaho who served in office from 2003 to 2013.

Emeritus Professor Edward H.K. Akaho has been awarded in the national level for his outstanding contributions to the nation through his dedicated Science and Technology expertise and knowledge.

Held at the Accra International Conference Centre on Monday December 30, 2024, the award, the second highest honour in the country, was bestowed upon Emeritus Professor Edward H.K. Akaho in recognition of his tireless efforts to improve development of Ghana Atomic Energy Commission and Nuclear and Allied Sciences (SNAS) including other educational related programmes. 

This development amidst jubilation of the people of Mepe Traditional Area in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region. 

This national recognition to Emeritus Professor Edward H.K. Akaho who hails from Mepe inspires many chiefs and people from the area to continue striving for excellence in service to God and country.

The people of Mepe were astonishingly happy 
to the extent that they have one of their hard working senior citizens to receive such national award, which situation has risen the image of Mepe Traditional Area into a high level in the country.

Emeritus Professor Edward H.K. Akaho was among some high profile personalities or individuals whose His Excellency President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has presented national honours to because they have excelled in various fields, recognizing their contributions to national development through hard work, sacrifice, and dedication.

The ceremony was attended by dignitaries, including the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo, Ministers of State, and other high-ranking citizens and government officials.

Among the honorees was Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, who received the highest honour of the land, the 'Order of the Star of Ghana - Officer Awardee.'

BELOW IS  JUSTIFICATION FOR EMERITUS PROFESSOR E.H.K. AKAHO FOR NATIONAL HONOURS AND AWARD.

BACKGROUND OF PROF. E.H.K. AKAHO

Emeritus Professor Edward H.K. Akaho was born in Mepe of the Volta Region of Ghana in February 1952.

After his elementary school education in his hometown, he continued his secondary school education in Sogakope Secondary School and Bishop Herman College Kpando.  

He received his BSc (Chemical Engineering) Honours degree in 1976 from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.

He obtained MSc degree in Nuclear Reactor Science and Engineering and D.I.C. in Chemical Engineering and Chemical Technology in 1979 from Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, University of London, U.K.  

In 1982, he was awarded the PhD (Nuclear Engineering) degree from the University of London, London, U.K.

He was first employed as a Trainee Scientific Officer at Ghana Atomic Energy Commission from 1977 and was promoted to Scientific Officer in 1979.

 In 1993, he was promoted to the rank of Senior Scientific Officer and later Principal Scientific Officer/Associate Professor in 1998.

 Through dint of hard work, he attained the Chief Scientific Officer grade/Full Professor from 2002 to date. He was also appointed a part-time lecturer in the Department of Physics, University of Ghana, Legon in 1986 and has been teaching the reactor physics course to date. 

He was subsequently appointed as Director-General for the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission from 2003 to 2013.       

He is married with three children.

After statutory retirement in March 2012, he combined teaching of Nuclear Engineering post graduate students with research. 

He is also an advocate for the Mepe Traditional Area in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region of Ghana particularly for the promotion of secondary and tertiary education and primary health care.

EXEMPLARY ACHIEVEMENTS
Education:

Under his leadership as the Director-General of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, he established the Graduate School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences (SNAS) in 2006 for human capital development in PhD and MPhil in nuclear and related programmes. 

The school was established under the auspices of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in affiliation with the University of Ghana. The school has the following faculties:

Department of Nuclear Sciences and Application
Department of Nuclear Safety and Security 
Department of Nuclear Agriculture and Radiation Processing 
Department of Nuclear Engineering 
Department of Medical Physics
Since the inception of the school, the following are the statistics of both local and international students that have graduated with various honours:
PhD: 44
MPhil: 635

Currently some products of the Graduate School are occupying high profile local and international positions all over the world.

His passion for educational development also led him to construct three (3) blocks for extension at the GAEC Basic Schools to promote education at the Primary and Junior High school levels. Currently, the School is serving as an educational hub of pupils who come from the immediate environs of GAEC and the wider community of the Dome, Kwabenya and Haatso areas.

School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences

Health: To help minimize the mortality rate of pregnant women during childbirth, he established the Maternity Block at the GAEC Clinic and fervently worked to ensure that the Clinic was promoted to become a hospital which currently serves the GAEC, Dome, Haatso, Taifa, St. Johns, Kwabenya, Ashongman Estate, Madina and Brekusu catchment areas.  

He played a significant role in the establishment of the National Radiotherapy Centre at the Konfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) for nuclear medicine in relation to cancer treatment. 

When both Radiotherapy centres at Korle Bu and KATH faced challenges, he was able to acquire a thirty-million United States Dollar (USD 30,000,000) facility for their rehabilitation. 

GAEC Hospital

Nuclear Power Programme: Under the Nuclear Power Programme for Ghana, he conceived the idea and submitted a comprehensive proposal to the IAEA for Ghana establishing a nuclear power plant to augment the energy derived from hydro to accelerate socio-economic development in the country.

He was a leading member of the Prof. Adjei Bekoe Committee tasked to prepare a document for Cabinet during His Excellency President John Kuffuor’s regime. The document was subsequently submitted to the IAEA by him to show Ghana’s interest in commencing the Nuclear Power Programme.   

These efforts contributed to the public declaration by the President, His Excellency Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo-Addo on the 31st of August 2022 that Ghana was going nuclear.  

The Nuclear Power Programme is currently at Phase Two of the milestones monitored by the IAEA and this programme is being led by research scientists who graduated from SNAS. 

The Prof. E.H.K. Akaho Accelerator Block:
During his tenure as Director-General, he facilitated the establishment of an accelerator facility at the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) for elemental composition and structure analyses of materials of interest in cultural heritage, agriculture, health, environment, forensics, mining, industry, education and training. The facility was installed and commissioned in March 2016. 

The Ghana Accelerator facility provides key tools to transfer advanced knowledge in nuclear technology applications in the various socioeconomic fields of interest through teaching and training of highly skilled personnel.

 Currently, graduate students and researchers from universities in Ghana use the accelerator facility for their thesis/research works.

Heavy metals (Cadmium, mercury and lead) poisoning in foods can result from pollution from industries, illegal mining, and bad agricultural practices. Test for possible contamination in various staple food stuffs on the Ghanaian market is often carried out at the GAEC Accelerator laboratory.

IAccelerator facility

Establishment of the Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute:

He also established the Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute (GSSTI) which is tasked with leveraging space science and technology for Ghana's socio-economic advancement.

 Established in 2012, GSSTI operates three major centers focusing on Radio Astronomy and Astrophysics, Remote Sensing and Climate, and Satellite Communications and Engineering. 

It manages Ghana's only Radio Astronomy observatory, a crucial component of the African Very Long Baseline Interferometer Network. Additionally, GSSTI coordinates the Rainwatch Alliance Africa and supports various sectors such as health, agriculture, and environmental monitoring through space science, remote sensing, data science, and artificial intelligence. Furthermore, the Institute promotes STEM education in Ghana and throughout sub-Saharan Africa through training and awareness initiatives.

GSSTI building 

Establishment of the Radiological and Medical Sciences Research Institute: His tenure also saw the establishment of the Radiological and Medical Sciences Research Institute in January 2009 to contribute to public health delivery and research in Ghana which is the leading medical research institute in Ghana employing nuclear and allied techniques to promote human health and nutrition.

It also serves as the regional designated centre for research in cancer and medical diagnostic imaging. 

Establishment of the GAEC Guesthouse for Provision of Hospitality Services:. To augment the Government’s support to GAEC, he conceived the idea to redevelop an abandoned and dilapidated Chemistry laboratory into a modern Guesthouse.

 The thirty-nine (39) rooms guesthouse serves as a hosting facility for several IAEA seminars, workshops, conferences and local programmes. 

This facility continues to serve as a source of income for the Commission which is used to promote research activities. 

GAEC Guest house.

Recreational centre and Landscaping: He championed the change in the landscape of GAEC into a green environment conducive for work and family residencies. 

He further created a recreational facility to improve the work-life balance of staff and encourage togetherness through games. He developed the football park, basketball court and lawn tennis court which are open to staff and the public.  

Establishment of the Nuclear Regulatory Authority: 

He was also prominent in the establishment of the Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NRA). For his vision to construct Ghana’s first nuclear power plant, the establishment of the NRA was pivotal.

 NRA is an independent regulatory body established by the NRA Act, 2015 (Act 895). 

It commenced operations in January 2016 with a statutory responsibility for regulating the civilian use of nuclear and other radioactive materials in medicine, industry, agriculture, education and research in Ghana.

 Nuclear Regulatory Authority

SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

Led the establishment of Graduate School of Nuclear and Allied Science, University of Ghana, Atomic Campus.

Led the establishment of Radiological and Medical Sciences Research Institute of GAEC.
Led the establishment of Accelerator Research Centre with 1.7Mev Accelerator.

Led the establishment of GAEC Guest House.
Led the establishment of Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute.

Refurbished buildings and renovated laboratories of RPI and NNRI.

Championed the construction of buildings to expand GAEC Basic Schools.

Led the establishment of Ghana/IAEA Nuclear Security Support Centre.

Led the establishment of National Data Centre of CTBTO.

Oversaw the construction of Maternity Block for GAEC Clinic.

Creation of Recreational Area for sporting activities.

PUBLIC SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP

Trainee Sc. Officer, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, 1977 – 1979.

Scientific Officer, Ghana Atomic energy Commission, 1979 -1993.

Senior Scientific Officer, 1993 – 1998.
Principal Scientific Officer and Associate Professor, 1998 – 2002.

Chief Scientific Officer and Full Professor, 2002 - up to date.

Part-time Lecturer, University of Ghana, 1986 – 2003.

Professor and Head, Department of Nuclear Engineering, Graduate School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences, University of Ghana, 2007-2010.
Chief Executive Officer & Director General of GAEC, 2003 – 2012.

Professor Emeritus of Nuclear Engineering, SNAS, Univ. of Ghana, 2013 up to date.

He is currently a member of the Nuclear Regulatory Authority and on the Technical Committee of the Board.

He is currently a member of the Nuclear Regulatory Authority Board.

CHARACTER AND INTEGRITY 

Emeritus Prof. E.H.K. Akaho has always worked for the good of GAEC and Ghana at large. He is a patriotic leader who would not compromise on his personal or professional integrity. 

This exceptional leadership has endeared him to all who have worked with him. He is firm, yet fair in every circumstance.  

INNOVATION AND CREATIVITY

To boost the financial revenue of GAEC, he conceived the idea of establishing the GAEC Guesthouse which is marked as one of his great achievements. His innovative idea was nurtured and developed over the years whiles he was in office as the Director-General of GAEC. He ensured its full operationalization before leaving office. .

OVERCOMING ADVERSITY

Though, born in a remote part of Ghana at that time, the young Prof. did not allow financial or physical barriers to overcome his vison of achieving the best for himself and Ghana. His tenacious spirit and self believe has inspired him over the years to surmount every obstacle or challenge he has encountered. 
 
PHILANTHROPY AND COMMUNITY SERVICE

He was not only instrumental in the establishment of Mepe Saint Kizito Secondary Technical School, but also in its development. Through his relentless advocacy, the school obtained boarding facilities and  also witnessed the construction, furnishing, and equipping of a science resource centre - a collaborative project supported by the Japanese Embassy and the Rotary Club.

He is currently involved in the establishment of a TVET Institute at Dadome in the Mepe Traditional Area, which is named after St. Luke, and awaiting accreditation. 

He also joined in efforts to deliver pipe borne water to far-off settlements in of the Mepe Traditional Area.

GLOBAL IMPACT 

He has served as an IAEA expert at several Universities in Southern Africa, where he lectured nuclear educational programs in countries such as Zambia, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania and South Africa. 

He also spent some time as a lecturer for the IAEA programme in Egypt and Morocco.
He has also served as Chairman for the African Regional Cooperative Agreement for Research, Development and Training Related to Nuclear Science and Technology’s (AFRA’s) High Level Steering Committee on Human Resource Development and Nuclear Knowledge. 

He was a technical advisor to the Government of Ghana on the IAEA Board of Governance during the time of Prof. Adjei Bekoe.

INSPIRING OTHERS

Emeritus Prof. E.H.K. Akaho has mentored several scientists in Ghana and beyond. Some of these individuals have risen to very high positions both locally and internationally. 

He severed as a source of inspiration for Prof. B.J.B. Nyarko, the immediate past Director-General of GAEC, Prof. I.J.K. Aboh, former Deputy Director-General of GAEC, Prof. Samuel Dampare, the current Director-General of GAEC amongst other high-ranking officials. 
  
INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION

He was the Technical Advisor to Ghana Team for Acquisition of Ghana MNSR, Vienna, September 1992.

He also was the Leader of Ghana Delegation of Operator Trainees for MNSR, Beijing, China, 1993.
He was a member of the Planning Committee, AFRA Regional Conference on Research Reactor Operation Utilization and Safety, Commissariat a l, Energie Atomique, Algiers Algeria, 11 - 12 April 1999.

Also, he was a member and alternate Leader of Ghana’s Delegation to IAEA General Conference, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria, Sept. 1986.

He was also the member of Ghana’s Delegation to IAEA General Conference, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria, Sept. 1991.
He was the National Coordinator for IAEA Country Programme Framework, 2002 – 2004.

He was the National Liaison Officer for AFRA/IAEA Projects for Ghana.

He won the Nobles International Award by West Africa International Magazine (2004).