Nana-Owusua Kwamena

Professional biography

Nana has worked at the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) since 2011. As Director of the Transport Licensing and Strategic Support Division, she leads work related to the packaging and transport of nuclear substances, the certification of prescribed equipment, and the licensing of activities that support the safe use and movement of nuclear substances in Canada.

Expertise and education

Her academic background includes a bachelor of science with honours in chemistry from McGill University and a PhD in atmospheric chemistry from the University of Toronto. She also completed post-doctoral fellowships in physical chemistry at the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom and at the University of Toronto. Her education and expertise connect chemistry, regulatory oversight, transport licensing, prescribed equipment certification and nuclear substances regulation.

Roles and responsibilities

In her role, Nana leads a team responsible for regulating the packaging and transport of nuclear substances, certifying prescribed equipment and issuing transport licences. Her division also supports, evaluates and integrates processes for the CNSC’s regulatory program for nuclear substances. As a designated officer appointed by the Commission, she carries out specific licensing and regulatory actions and can make certain decisions on behalf of the Commission.

Previously, Nana held various roles at the CNSC related to environmental protection, including leading the team responsible for managing the CNSC’s role in environmental reviews.

Other highlights

Nana completed a one-year assignment as the senior project officer leading the CNSC’s preparation for the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Integrated Regulatory Review Service mission to Canada in 2019. In 2025, she became co-champion of the CNSC’s Black Employee Network, where she supports and advocates for Black employees at the CNSC.