Ghanaian Scientist Launches Nuclear Safety Training Hub

A little girl in Ghana once mixed household chemicals just to watch them react and change colors. Today, Hannah Affum leads an international center that helps countries around the world prepare for disasters and save lives.

Affum's path wasn't obvious or easy. Growing up, people questioned whether a woman could find work in engineering. But her aunt, the family's first physicist, showed her that science was more than a career—it was a tool for solving real problems.

After earning her chemical engineering degree, Affum joined Ghana's Atomic Energy Commission for mandatory national service. There, she discovered radiotracer technology, which tracks how substances move through industrial systems like pipelines and reactors. The work fascinated her: she could see invisible processes and fix problems before they became dangerous.

Her mentor, mathematician Professor Francis Allotey, pushed her to publish research, speak at conferences, and mentor other women in STEM fields. At the time, only two women worked in her center. Affum credits her father, a journalist, with teaching her to explain complex science in simple terms, and her mother with unwavering belief in her abilities.

In 2022, Affum joined the International Atomic Energy Agency despite doubting she was qualified enough. An international mentor saw her potential and urged her to apply. Two years later, she achieved something remarkable.

In 2024, Affum launched the IAEA's Non-Destructive Testing Centre in Austria. The facility trains countries—especially those prone to earthquakes, floods, and other natural disasters—how to inspect critical infrastructure accurately and safely. Years in the planning after the Fukushima nuclear disaster, the center now equips nations with cutting-edge tools to identify structural defects before crises strike.

Why This Inspires

Affum's work directly addresses one of the world's biggest challenges: keeping people safe as climate disasters increase. The testing center she built gives vulnerable countries access to technology and training they couldn't afford independently. It's disaster prevention on a global scale, led by someone who started with childhood curiosity and household chemicals.

She also challenges common fears about nuclear technology head-on. Affum reminds people that radiation, when properly used, treats cancer, improves agriculture, and makes industry safer. Her center ensures that nuclear facilities and critical infrastructure meet the highest safety standards.

Outside work, Affum and her husband mentor underprivileged youth in Ghana. Through Women in Nuclear Ghana, she shows girls that STEM isn't about innate genius—it's about passion and persistence. She tells young scientists to jump at opportunities even when they feel unready.

Her advice is simple: science is just a puzzle waiting for your unique solution.