Ghana is ready for nuclear power adoption – Gov’t affirms

Ghana has officially declared its readiness to embrace nuclear power as part of its strategy to diversify the energy mix and ensure a reliable, affordable electricity supply for industrial development, according to the country's government. Minister of Lands and Natural Resources and Acting Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, confirmed this stance at the opening of the third US-Africa Nuclear Energy Summit in Accra, stating that Ghana is now in Phase Two of the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) roadmap for developing nuclear power infrastructure.

Ghana's nuclear ambitions extend beyond reactor construction, according to Buah. He emphasized that human capacity development is equally crucial for the success of the nuclear program, asserting that building physical infrastructure must be coupled with the development of skilled personnel to operate and sustain the system. Similarly, the Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Jinapor, highlighted that nuclear energy would be a vital component of Ghana's energy portfolio, as the nation strives to meet increasing electricity demand and bolster industrialization.

He noted that Ghana's electricity demand has surged from around 300 megawatts during the Akosombo Dam's inception to approximately 4,500 megawatts presently, with most of the installed generation capacity currently reliant on thermal sources. Ghana is thus determined to diversify its energy mix by incorporating natural gas, renewable energy, and nuclear power to deliver dependable, low-carbon, and cost-effective electricity.

Jinapor also revealed that Ghana and the United States are making significant strides towards finalizing a 123 Agreement on peaceful nuclear cooperation, which is currently pending necessary approvals. Dr. Michael Goff, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the US Department of Energy's Office of Nuclear Energy, expressed the US commitment to backing Ghana and other African nations in their nuclear energy endeavors.

The US has partnered Nuclear Power Ghana to establish a Regional Energy Training Centre in Accra, focusing on providing training and technical exchanges related to reactor technologies, cybersecurity, quality assurance, and spent fuel management.

Dr. Humphrey Ayim-Darke, former President of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), called for treating Ghana's nuclear power program as a strategic national project, demanding sustained and predictable investments, strong institutional backing, and collaboration among government, industry, development partners, investors, and academic institutions.

General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress, Joshua Ansah, urged the Union's support for the nuclear program, emphasizing that its success hinges on technology, financing, skilled labor, robust institutions, and sustained public confidence. Ansah also noted that a successful nuclear program could support Ghana's industrialization, enhance energy security, generate jobs, and contribute to long-term economic growth.