As Ghana intensifies efforts to secure a reliable energy future, the government has inaugurated the Nuclear Power Ghana Board, a key step in the country’s long-standing quest to harness nuclear energy.
Energy Minister John Abdulai Jinapor highlighted that stable, affordable base-load power is essential for industrial growth, investment attraction, and the nation’s long-term competitiveness, urging the board to accelerate progress without delay.
Speaking on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama, Mr. Jinapor described the inauguration as a “significant milestone” in Ghana’s decades-long pursuit of nuclear energy, a vision first championed by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. The Minister stressed the strategic importance of nuclear power for Ghana’s energy security and industrial growth.
“Global experience is clear. Every nation seeking long-term industrial expansion needs access to stable, affordable base-load power, and nuclear energy remains one of the most reliable pathways to achieve this” he said.
The minister further charged the new board with breaking new ground, urging it to accelerate progress and deliver results. “I have charged the Board to break new ground, accelerate progress, and deliver on the long-standing objective of adding nuclear power to our national energy mix,” he said.
He stressed that the board must move swiftly to translate Ghana’s long-standing nuclear vision into tangible outcomes, emphasizing the need for institutional strengthening, technical capacity, and adherence to global safety standards.
Ghana does not yet have a commercial nuclear power plant. Its current nuclear facility, the Ghana Research Reactor-1 (GHARR-1), is a small research reactor used primarily for education, research, and medical isotope production.
In recent years, the government has undertaken a series of measures to lay the groundwork for a full-scale plant. The Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NRA) has been established to oversee safety, licensing, and regulatory compliance, while Nuclear Power Ghana (NPG) serves as the owner and future operator of the planned plant. Ghana has conducted rigorous site selection and safety assessments with support from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to ensure compliance with global nuclear standards.
Efforts to build capacity have included training personnel at the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) and seconding staff from the Volta River Authority and other agencies to NPG. Ghana is also engaging international partners for technical expertise, including agreements with U.S.-based NuScale Power to explore the deployment of small modular reactors.
Economically, nuclear power promises to transform Ghana’s industrial landscape. By providing reliable, stable electricity, it is expected to attract investment, strengthen manufacturing and technology sectors, and reduce operational costs for businesses.
