President Akufo-Addo has given approval for the incorporation of nuclear technology into the country’s power generation mix.
In a statement issued yesterday, the President said the decision was taken in consonance with the global collective commitment to a sustainable source of power, and the peaceful exploitation of nuclear energy for the benefit of citizens.
In 2008, cabinet took a decision to include nuclear energy into the country’s energy generation mix which paved the way for its inclusion into the National Energy Policy and Strategy.
Ghana subsequently declared its intention to pursue a Nuclear Power Programme (NPP) for peaceful purposes in August 2013, through a letter submitted to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Since then, inroads have been made towards making the country a nuclear power producer by 2030.
The Ghana Nuclear Power Programme Organisation (GNPPO) was established to oversee the implementation and coordination of the nuclear power programme.
“Two other key institutions, namely Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NRA) Ghana, an independent nuclear regulatory body, and Nuclear Power Ghana (NPG), a project company to take up the role and responsibility as owner-operator, have been established by the government,” the President said.
He added that the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), through its Technical Institute (the Nuclear Power Institute, NPI-GAEC), and with the support from other national bodies, has met all the Phase 1 nuclear infrastructure requirements as recommended by the IAEA Milestone’s approach.
“In 2017 and 2019, the IAEA International Peer Review Mission, on the invitation of the country, undertook a review of the status of Ghana’s Phase 1 nuclear infrastructure development, and concluded that Ghana has satisfied all the prescribed studies for government to make a knowledgeable commitment to a nuclear power programme.
“Furthermore, the numerous studies and progress of activities undertaken in Phase 1 of the nuclear power programme had been consolidated into the Programme Comprehensive Report (PCR),” he added.
Following this, the President has instructed the Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI) and the Minister for Energy (MoE), in collaboration with the Chief of Staff at the Office of the President, to take all the necessary steps to move the Ghana Nuclear Power Programme Organisation (GNPPO) from the Ministry of Energy to the Office of the President.
This, according to the statement, is to enhance proper coordination among the key institutions already established, as GAEC and its technical institute (NPI-GAEC) continues to play its supportive role to the GNPPO at the Office of the President following its re-alignment.
President Akufo-Addo further stated that the government has adopted the content of the PCR as a reflection of nuclear power infrastructure issues in the country, committed to the peaceful uses of nuclear technology, as well as continued their international cooperation and collaborations, and participated in enhancing knowledge in all peaceful applications of nuclear technology.
It also stated government’s commitment to “continue their transparency, adherence to the strict standards of safety, security, and accountability in the peaceful uses of nuclear technology and continue with its efforts to implement the nuclear power programme in the subsequent phases of the programme by using nuclear technology to generate electricity to accelerate national development and industrialisation.”
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri