Leading scientists and policymakers have called on the government to make firm financial and institutional commitments toward harnessing space science and technology for Ghana’s sustainable development.
They made the call at Ghana’s maiden National Space Conference on the theme “Harnessing Space Technology for Sustainable Development and Inclusive Growth,” which brought together researchers, innovators, and development partners to discuss how space tools can accelerate progress in agriculture, environment, and economic transformation.
Opening the event, Kwaku Sumah, Managing Director of Spacehubs Africa, said Ghana must move from being a mere user of space products to becoming a producer of its own technologies.
“Why should we continue to pay other countries to observe our farms and weather patterns when we can develop our own capabilities? Once there is funding and a functioning space agency, coordination, capacity-building, and innovation will follow,” he emphasized.
Mr. Sumah said many African countries, including Nigeria, have committed millions of dollars to their space programmes, yet Ghana still lacks a consistent policy and financial backing.
He therefore urged the government to expedite the establishment of a national space agency to coordinate research, innovation, and training in satellite data, navigation, and remote sensing.
In a keynote address delivered on behalf of Professor Mark Sandow Yidana, Dean of the School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, the conference was described as “a turning point” in Ghana’s journey toward building a knowledge-based space economy.
Prof. Yidana noted that Ghana already has a strong foundation in space science, citing the All Nations University’s 2017 launch of GhanaSat-1 and the conversion of a 32-metre satellite dish at Kuntunse into a radio telescope, now part of the global Square Kilometre Array network.
He explained that space technology is vital for addressing real-life challenges such as climate change, food insecurity, and natural disasters, and urged stronger collaboration between research institutions, government, and the private sector.
Dr. Joseph Bremang Tandoh, Director of the Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute (GSSTI), highlighted the growing relevance of satellite applications in national planning and resource management.
“Space-based tools like GPS, weather forecasting, and remote sensing are no longer luxuries. They are essential tools for agriculture, mining, and urban development,” he said. “With deliberate investment, Ghana can build jobs, develop industries, and contribute meaningfully to Africa’s US$23 billion space economy projected by 2026.”
He added that Ghana is “ready to launch, ready to contribute, and ready to shape its own destiny” through education, research, and international partnerships.
In a statement, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to developing the country’s space industry, revealing that Cabinet has approved three key policies: the National Space Policy, the establishment of the Ghana Space Agency, and a Space Industry Development Strategy.
“These provide an unshakable foundation for Ghana’s space ambitions,” he said. “Our space programme is not just about astronauts and satellites but it’s about using science to solve everyday problems and improve livelihoods.”
Professor Alice Browne Klutse, Chief Executive of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), showcased how her agency already applies space technologies in monitoring illegal mining, detecting pollution, tracking flood-prone areas, and observing coastal erosion in real time.
“With satellite systems, we can identify new mining pits and track deforestation without stepping into the forest,” she said. “Space science is now integral to protecting our environment and ensuring that economic growth goes hand in hand with sustainability.”
The conference ended with a renewed call for long-term investment in STEM education, research, and regional partnerships to position Ghana as a hub for Africa’s growing space ecosystem.
