Ghana’s nuclear power agenda: Media practice as a catalyst for sustainable community development

As Ghana forges ahead with its nuclear power agenda, the media is being called upon not merely to report the news but to play an active, strategic role in shaping public perception, managing community expectations, and promoting transparency. This shift in responsibility was the focus of the 2025 Non-residential media workshop, held under the theme: “Media Practice: A Bridge for Building Sustainable Community Development”.

The workshop brought together stakeholders from Nuclear Power Ghana (NPG), Bui Power Authority (BPA), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and leading Ghanaian journalists. It highlighted how responsible journalism can underpin local cohesion, economic resilience, and national development—particularly in the context of large-scale power infrastructure projects like nuclear energy.

Beyond the headlines: Media’s role in building accountable communities

Adiki Ayitevi, Director of iFORA CommeEX, emphasized that journalists must move “beyond the headlines” and become long-term accountability partners. She laid out practical tools for transparent reporting, including investigative journalism methods that “follow the money,” track government spending, and monitor the socio-economic impacts of energy projects.

“Journalists must amplify community voices and serve as a bridge between technical stakeholders and the public,” she urged, stressing that media practitioners should demystify nuclear energy and counter misinformation. In this context, science communication becomes not just helpful, but essential for building public trust.

Media’s role: Beyond the headlines

The role of the media in Ghana’s nuclear power journey cannot be overstated. From shaping narratives to influencing policy, journalists and media houses are vital in translating complex nuclear issues into accessible content. By fostering informed public discourse, media can demystify nuclear energy and challenge the stigma rooted in historical accidents like Chernobyl and Fukushima.

Bridging the information gap: Media as educators

In rural and peri-urban communities—those likely to be most affected by nuclear power infrastructure—the level of awareness about nuclear technology remains low. The media can bridge this information gap by working with scientists, regulators, and community leaders to deliver targeted, culturally relevant education campaigns.

Radio, still the most accessible medium in Ghana, is a powerful tool for reaching marginalized populations. Community radio stations can host call-in programs, debates, and interviews in local languages to inform people about nuclear energy’s benefits, risks, and their roles in the process.

Promoting dialogue and trust

Trust is the currency of nuclear development. Without it, fear and misinformation can derail even the best-laid plans. The media plays a crucial role in fostering trust between the government, nuclear agencies, and the citizenry. Investigative reporting and transparency help prevent the spread of conspiracy theories, reduce resistance, and encourage active civic participation.

Moreover, by highlighting successful global nuclear stories—like South Korea’s or Canada’s—media can provide context and reassurance that nuclear power, when managed properly, can be both safe and beneficial.

Challenges facing media engagement

Despite its potential, media coverage of Ghana’s nuclear agenda has been relatively limited. Key challenges include:

Lack of technical expertise among journalists to cover nuclear issues accurately,

Insufficient funding for science journalism,

Limited access to information from nuclear agencies,

Political influence and sensationalism in reporting.

Addressing these challenges requires training programs, partnerships between media and scientific institutions, and policies that promote open data and transparency.

Journalism as a tool for local cohesion and economic resilience

Kofi Yeboah, a Lecturer at Wisconsin University, underscored the cultural and constitutional responsibilities of the Ghanaian journalist. He highlighted journalism’s critical role in national cohesion, especially in regions affected by major power infrastructure projects.

“Nuclear power isn’t just about electricity,” Yeboah stated. “It’s about creating a growth pole—reviving economies, building social infrastructure, and ensuring national resilience.”

He called on journalists to apply the Agenda-Setting, Framing, and Gatekeeping theories in their reporting—ensuring they shape public discourse, present balanced perspectives, and manage the flow of accurate information. He also invoked the GJA Constitution: “Journalists must report the truth at all times.”

The Bui Power Authority experience: Managing community expectations

Representing the CEO of Bui Power Authority, Dr. Maxwell Wumbilla Salifu provided a historical lens on community engagement during the Bui Hydroelectric Project. He recounted the expectations of affected communities, particularly concerning preferred resettlement sites, access to livelihood opportunities, and social services.

The BPA’s experience underscored the importance of early, continuous dialogue with communities and the need for media to manage narratives responsibly.

Understanding and managing community expectations: Lessons from the IAEA

Kelle Barfield, Stakeholder Engagement Consultant with the IAEA, presented global case studies where stakeholder engagement—or the lack thereof—shaped nuclear project outcomes. From the Yucca Mountain controversy in the U.S. to successful community partnerships in Sweden, Barfield shared the IAEA’s structured approach to engagement:

Who are the stakeholders?

What messages should be communicated?

Where should these be delivered?

When and by whom?

Key principles include transparency, cultural sensitivity, and clarity in communication. She encouraged the development of local advisory boards and citizen panels to anchor engagement in community realities.

Reflections: Lessons on community engagement from the workshop

As a journalist, several key lessons emerge:

1. Community engagement is non-negotiable — it must start early, be continuous, and involve genuine dialogue.

2. Reporting must evolve from episodic to strategic — covering the entire lifecycle of national projects.

3. Science communication and cultural context matter — journalists must demystify nuclear power whilst being sensitive to local traditions.

Envisioned community development issues and how to address them

In covering Ghana’s nuclear journey, journalists are likely to encounter and need to address several community concerns:

1. Resettlement and livelihood concerns

Issue: Communities may fear displacement without adequate compensation.

Media role: Investigate and report on compensation processes, highlight success/failure stories, provide platforms for affected voices.

2. Misinformation and fear about Nuclear safety

Issue: Widespread myths or fears about radiation, accidents, or health risks.

Media role: Use science communication to explain safety protocols, IAEA standards, and debunk myths.

3. Cultural heritage and land use conflicts

Issue: Land litigation and disruption of cultural practices.

Media role: Collaborate with local historians and cultural leaders, contextualize the impact of nuclear siting decisions.

4. Economic inclusion and job creation

Issue: Local communities demand employment opportunities.

Media role: Track and report job statistics, monitor contractor engagements, highlight gaps in local inclusion.

Media as key stakeholders in Ghana’s nuclear agenda

Ghana News Agency’s General Manager Albert Kofi Owusu called on journalists to see themselves as major stakeholders in the nuclear agenda, not just observers. Jeorge Wilson Kingson of PRINPAG added that the media must “erase misconceptions” and “bring the public along.”

The media can contribute by:

Promoting nuclear literacy through regular, simplified educational content.

Tracking timelines, budgets, and social impact metrics of nuclear projects.

Hosting public forums, podcasts, or town halls for ongoing engagement.

Building partnerships with academia, energy experts, and civil society.

What support does the media need?

To effectively fulfill this role, media professionals require:

Capacity Building: Training in science communication, investigative journalism, and energy reporting.

Access to experts: Regular briefings from Nuclear Power Ghana, IAEA, and other technical institutions.

Funding: Support for long-form journalism, community outreach, and follow-up investigations.

Transparency from institutions: Open data and cooperation from NPG, BPA, and other government agencies.

A deliberate and focused nuclear agenda

Dr. Stephen Yamoah, Executive Director of NPG, reaffirmed Ghana’s “deliberate and focused” approach to nuclear power, which includes not just electricity generation but the integration of local industries, academia, and private sector players.

“We are not rushing. We are building competencies and ensuring inclusiveness,” he assured.

Headlines that last beyond a day

This workshop signals a new era in Ghanaian journalism—where media practice goes beyond press conferences and ribbon cuttings. The role of the journalist is now that of a community advocate, watchdog, and educator—making headlines that matter, and that last.

If nuclear power is Ghana’s energy future, then the media must be its public conscience, ensuring the journey is inclusive, transparent, and sustainable for every Ghanaian.

Source: African Editors