The Radiation Technology Centre (RTC) is a specialised centre within the Biotechnology and Nuclear Agriculture Research Institute (BNARI). Its core role is to apply radiation processing technology for research, service, and commercial applications. This includes treating food and medical products with ionising radiation, principally through a gamma irradiation facility, to enhance quality, safety, and market value.

 

The centre plays a critical role in supporting Ghana’s agriculture, health, and industrial sectors by using nuclear technology to reduce post-harvest losses, improve food safety, and sterilise medical and industrial products.

 

Vision

To be a leading centre of excellence in the application of radiation technology and related analytical techniques for enhancing food safety, product quality, and industrial competitiveness in Ghana and the sub-region.

 

Mission

To apply radiation technology and related techniques to improve food safety and quality, reduce post-harvest losses, support medical and industrial applications, and contribute to national development.

 

Core Functions

  • Apply radiation processing technologies to enhance food safety, quality, and shelf life, and to reduce post-harvest losses.
  • Sterilise medical, pharmaceutical, and selected industrial products using ionising radiation.
  • Support research and development in radiation processing and related applications for agriculture, health, and industry.
  • Provide radiation processing services to public and private sector clients to improve product safety, market competitiveness, and promote international trade.
  • Conduct training and capacity-building activities in radiation processing and food safety technologies.
  • Collaborate with national, regional, and international partners to promote the peaceful use of radiation technology.

 

Impact and Achievements

  • Utilised radiation application in food and agriculture, medical and pharmaceutical, research and industry to improve safety, quality and efficiency for decades.
  • Annually trained people in tomato processing and marketing since 2021.
  • Organised the maiden edition of yoghurt production training in 2025.
  • Trained students from tertiary institutions.
  • Produced and commercialised NukBio yoghurt.
  • Developed a fortified jollof sauce.
  • Formulated Pro-gari mix.
  • Developed a sweet potato and soy mix biscuit.

 

Learn More About Our Work

  • We provide radiation processing, food properties and composition analysis, food safety and quality assurance, food sensory evaluation, food processing, and post-harvest technology.
  • We offer training in tomato processing and yoghurt production.
  • We provide laboratory analysis services.

 

Explore Our Technical and Advisory Services. Contact Us.

Ongoing Projects

  • Radiation processing of food, medical, and industrial materials to enhance the quality of stored food, prolong shelf life, improve safety standards, and mitigate post-harvest losses.
  • Studies on proximate, physicochemical, functional, phytochemical, and antinutrient properties of foods and food materials.
  • Research for food companies and individuals on food sensory evaluation and consumer studies, by providing insight into the following frequently asked questions: What do the products taste like? How much do people like these products? Is my product acceptable? Is my product preferred?
  • Microbial quality analysis services (effluent, water, foods, beverages), general microbial analysis, and specific microbial analysis.
  • Training on tomato processing and yoghurt production.
  • Commercial production of NukBio yoghurt for wholesale and retail

 

Past Projects

  • Coordinated Research Project (CRP): Enhancing Safety and Quality of Selected Locally Produced Flours, Spices, and Herbs Using Low Energy Electron Beam (LEEB), High Energy Electron Beam (HEEB), and Gamma Rays: A Comparative Study on cocoa beans, etc.
  • CRP: Characterisation of wastewater sachets using irradiation.
  • RAF 5091: Enhancing human and analytical capacities for food safety standards.

 

Collaborate on our projects. Contact us.

  • Microbiology laboratory (microscope, incubation chamber, flow hood, etc.)
  • Analytical laboratory (spectrophotometer, refractometer, chromameter, handheld Near Infrared (NIR) spectrometer, etc.)
  • Innovation laboratory (dehydrator, oven, steam cooker, etc.)
  • Post-harvest laboratory (rapid moisture meter, oven, etc.)
  • Sensory laboratory
  • Yoghurt production unit

 

Engage Our Facilities for Research and Field Applications. Call us now.

  • Radiation processing
  • Food properties and composition
  • Food safety and quality
  • Food sensory attributes
  • Food processing and training
  • Post-harvest technology

 

Collaborate With Us on Our Applied Research. Contact Us.

Physical Address:

Radiation Technology Centre

  1. O. Box LG 80

Legon

 

Digital Address (GPS):

GE-257-0465

 

Phone:

+233 24 485 6008

 

Email:

bnari@gaec.gov.gh

 

Connect with us to drive innovation and sustainability!