Nuclear Power Ghana gets preferred & back-up sites

Executive Director of Nuclear Power Ghana Dr. Stephen Yamoah has revealed that the NPG has successfully identified preferred and back-up sites to pave the way for the establishment of Ghana’s first nuclear power plant.

Speaking at a 3-day media workshop for Regional Managers of GNA and Senior Professionals in Accra Dr. Yamoah chaged ”
The media to disseminate unbiased information to the public including addressing issues of safety such waste management. There is a well-laid down plan including safety environmental protection programme towards Ghana’s nuclear agenda”.

General Manager of GNA Kofi Owusu has urged journalists to be interested in specialising including the area of nuclear power. He noted that “We need to have the full grasp of unclear power. Relevant areas include public perception, economic viability, safety protocols, environmental impact, eco-friendly nature of nuclear power and others.

Contributing to the debate, a Media Law Lecturer at University of Media, Arts and Communication Institute of Journalism (UniMAC-GIJ) in Accra-Ghana, Zachariah Tanko charged practioners to lead and intensify advocacy to dispel myths and misconceptions about nuclear power. According to him, media advocacy is the approach that aims to use media outlets and platforms to raise awareness, influence public opinions, and advocate for specific issues and causes. He noted that strategies for media advocacy include education and awareness, expert engagement, storytelling, media partnerships, public events and online presence.

Director of Renewable Energy at Bui Power Authority Wisdom Ahiataku-Togobo said “nuclear power is very safe and has the lowest mortality death rate in any of power plants in the world”.

According to Director of Renewable Energy at Bui Power Authority and Mathematical Physicist Wisdom Ahiataku-Togobo, there are facts on competitive advantage of nuclear power technology that must be trumpeted to allay potential fears among the Ghaianan population. These facts about nuclear power technology include:

• Nuclear Power is very safe and has the lowest mortality death rate in any of the power plants in the world.

• Indeed, the three major nuclear accidents recorded so far have forced the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to put in place strict regulatory measures to minimize future nuclear accidents.

• Nuclear Power has the potential to provide affordable and reliable baseload power for stimulating industrialization and economic development.

• With Nuclear Power, Ghana can increase significantly the contribution of variable renewable energy such as solar and wind power.
• Nuclear Power is environmentally friendly as it emits no greenhouse gas and therefore a sure way to propelling energy transition to Net Zero emission.

• The support of the Media is very key minimizing the fear of public perception in nuclear power development.

• The support of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and other stakeholders including the Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Environment, Volta River Authority, Bui Power Authority, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Nuclear Regulatory Authority, GRIDCO, Parliament, the media in Ghana’s Nuclear Power programme towards the achievement of Net Zero Energy Transmission and the UN Sustainable Development Goal is highly appreciated.

A Lecturer at University of Media, Arts and Communication Institute of Journalism ( UniMAC-GIJ) in Accra-Ghana, David Dankwa-Apawu said “Stakeholders working towards the establishment of Ghana’s first nuclear power plant including the media must be intentional about the exact strategies and efforts to deploy in achieving targets”.

In summary, with strict regulations and the potential for affordable, reliable, and sustainable power, Ghana’s nuclear power program is gaining support from various stakeholders. The commitment to inclusive public engagement and responsible decision-making positions Ghana as a trailblazer in nuclear power implementation in the sub-Saharan region, servings a shining example to ECOWAS and AU member states.

Source: Jerry John Akornor, Chief Editor, African Editors