Ghana has been ready to go nuclear since 1960s – NPI Director

According to Professor Seth Kofi Debrah, the Director of the Nuclear Power Institute of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), Ghana has been ready to engage in nuclear energy since the 1960s.

During the opening of the US/Africa Nuclear Energy Summit in Accra, Prof. Debrah highlighted Ghana’s long-standing interest in nuclear energy. He explained that as far back as the 1960s, the government and people of Ghana were considering the use of nuclear energy not only to meet energy demands but also for vital applications like water production and process heat for industries. Despite the challenges faced by the sector, Prof. Debrah believes that they present opportunities for growth and development.

He mentioned the measures Ghana has taken to prepare for nuclear energy, including the establishment of infrastructure and institutions such as the School of Nuclear Allied Sciences and the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission. Prof. Debrah expressed his confidence in Ghana’s readiness and emphasized that Africa, with its abundant resources and complex challenges, is well-suited for a nuclear power program.

He believes that nuclear energy is a viable avenue for addressing energy and developmental issues in the country. The US/Africa Nuclear Energy Summit in Accra is a significant event that calls for Ghana and the broader African continent to embrace nuclear energy as a clean energy solution. Key speakers from the United States and Ghana reaffirmed their commitment to nuclear energy initiatives during the summit.

The summit, titled “Unlocking Africa’s Potential Through Nuclear Energy,” is the first-ever Pan-African gathering organized by the United States that focuses on the future of nuclear power on the continent. Its purpose is to facilitate discussions and collaborations that can shape the future of nuclear energy in Africa.

Source: Emmanuel Mensah