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Ghana has plans to utilise nuclear energy to generate the needed power supply to meet the growing energy demands. It also aims at boosting economic development of the country. The Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) is to kick-start the process, Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Joe Oteng-Adjei said at the Meet the press series in Accra on Tuesday. Ghana Atomic Energy Commission he said would ensure that all safety requirements are met so that there would be no cause for alarm. The ministry he said is also cooperating with South African to develop a national capacity for space science and technology particularly in the area of astronomy. �A team of experts have visited Kuntunse to convert the 32 meter redundant Vodafone antennae into a radio astronomy telescope which would be capable of participating in global research in the Very Long Base Interferometry. The ministry is also pursuing a project to establish a satellite ground receiving station that will enable relevant agencies to access up to date satellite data to monitor environmental degradation practices such as deforestation and illegal mining, as well as ensure the monitoring of activities of natural resources management such as land use, oil exploration and border control activities. He said the Akoben performance rating and the reclamation bonds instituted by the ministry would put mining companies on their toes because it requires that their work plan should be integrated in the mine closure plan which spells reclamation plans. On climate change, Dr Oteng-Adjei noted that a strategic Master Plan for the implementation of the policy is at its final stage of completion and when approved would provide an opportunity for Ghana to benefit from Global climate funds and initiatives to implement planned projects. A national environment policy has also been approved by cabinet in 2013, he said. The minister said: �This re-affirms our commitment as a country to manage the environment to sustain society at large and also provide strategic direction to Ghanaians in working towards a society where all have sufficient and wholesome food, clean water, descent housing and other necessities of life.� He admitted that e and domestic waste pose a challenge, however the ministry would support metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies to seek environmentally acceptable solutions. He said in-country assessment is being conducted to know the amount of e waste generated to help develop policies. In decentralising the functions of the Environmental Protection Agency, three Zonal offices were established in Wulensi, Damango and Nkwanta with an additional 27 offices to be established by the close of 2014 to increase its presence in the districts to deal with environmental problems in the country. The ministry through Town and Country Planning Department has over the years implemented a number of projects aimed at spatial planning in Ghana, with a new spatial planning system, which is a paradigm shift from the old planning system done in piecemeal to streamline the use and management of land in a sustainable manner. Using Science, technology and innovation as a tool for socio-economic development the ministry is collaborating with Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training to implement the Ghana Skills and Technology Development project. So far GH ₵500,000 each has been given to five research and development institutions like the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, GAEC and Ghana Telecom University, and Kumasi Polytechnic for their technology transfer and marketing centres.