Ghana ready for robust nuclear partnership programme – Energy Minister declares at US-Africa Nuclear Energy Summit

Ghana stands ready for a robust nuclear partnership programme which will stand the test of time and bring the needed energy security to Ghanaians.

The Minister of Energy, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, who said this, emphasised Ghana’s desire for a clean, reliable and sustainable energy, and the intentions to explore the nuclear route because of the many inherent benefits.

Contributing to a panel discussion on the topic, “Nuclear Power as a Catalyst for Economic Development”, at the US-Africa Nuclear Energy Summit (USANES) which opened in Accra on Monday, October 30, 2023, the minister said Ghana’s quest for nuclear power as part of its energy mix is purely for peaceful, civil purposes.

The Summit

The three-day summit, the first-ever Pan-African event hosted by the US, has a focus on the future of nuclear power in Africa.

It is being organised by the US Department of Energy (DOE) in collaboration with the Nuclear Power Institute (NPI) of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission.

A distinguished platform for US officials including those from government, academia, industry, and national laboratories; as well as other ministers, leaders, policymakers, and technical experts from across Africa are engaging in critical dialogues on nuclear energy issues.

With a focus on fostering international cooperation, sharing innovative solutions, and shaping policies, the event is serving as a catalyst for positive change and as a platform to strengthen existing relationships and establish new ones to enhance cooperation in the nuclear energy sector.

Energy prospects

Dr Opoku Prempeh expressed appreciation to the US for choosing Ghana as the destination for the important summit, adding that it had largely deepened Ghana’s nuclear energy prospects.

“For me, it is also a testament to the long-standing healthy bilateral ties between our two countries on several fronts,” he noted.

Green dense energy

Earlier, at the opening ceremony, the Senior Advisor to the President, Yaw Osafo-Maafo, said Africa needs a green dense energy technology to develop its natural resources, expand its economies and improve the living conditions of its people.

He stated:” It has been proven beyond doubt that nuclear technology can provide the needed green energy for accelerated economic development. It is necessary, however, for the adoption of a least cost alternative technology with features of shorter construction time and also lend itself to easy grid integration to maximise the benefits of nuclear technology by African countries.”

The Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Security and Non-proliferation at the US Department of State, Ann Ganzer, said every country is looking forward to owning a set of clean energy options such as solar, hydro, wind or nuclear.