Ghana has begun discussions with Rosatom on first nuclear power station – Mahama

President John Mahama announced that Ghana has started discussions with Rosatom, the Russian State Nuclear Energy Corporation, to build the country's first nuclear power station. Addressing the Third Russia-Africa Forum in Moscow, Mahama emphasized the importance of reliable electricity for Africa's development. He identified power shortages as a significant barrier to industrialization and progress, stressing that industrialization necessitates dependable and affordable energy.

"We have begun talks with Rosatom regarding the construction of Ghana's inaugural nuclear power station," Mahama added, highlighting Russia's expertise in both renewable and nuclear energy. He recalled that Ghana had a long-standing relationship with Russia in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, noting that Russian assistance provided a two-megawatt nuclear reactor for scientific and research purposes since 1964.

Several Ghanaian nuclear experts were trained in Russia to manage the reactor. This announcement represents a significant milestone in Ghana's aspiration to incorporate nuclear power into its energy portfolio as demand for electricity rises alongside industrialization and population growth. A nuclear power plant would offer baseload capacity to augment Ghana's existing hydropower and thermal generation sources.

Mahama's remarks underscore the potential benefits of enhanced Russia-Africa collaboration in the energy sector, positioning Moscow as a partner in renewable energy and nuclear technology. He emphasized that such cooperation could result in tangible outcomes for Africa's industrialization efforts.