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 molded 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 facilities, nuclear power, and radiotherapy facilities.
Lead has long been considered for radiation shielding in these facilities due to its attenuating properties,
but it is 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 the Ghacem Tema factory last week to present an update on the research and to interact with management on how best to facilitate the project.
The team was 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 was led by Dr. Eric Addison, Head of 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 the media after the presentations, Mr. Okay Kilinc, Ghacem’s Technical Director said that Ghacem as a company wanted to bring out something useful and innovative for the country hence the partnership with KNUST on the project.
“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 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.
Dr. Eric Addison, Head of 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”.
BY TIMES REPORTER
