Ghana will fully utilise energy resources for national development – Dr. Opoku Prempeh

Ghana’s energy sector will continue to utilise fully, all the energy resources at its disposal for the benefit of the people, the Minister of Energy, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh has said. He has therefore called for the necessary partnerships in that direction.

Dr Opoku Prempeh said this at the 67th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, Austria, on Wednesday, September 27, 2023.

Commitment
Dr. Opoku Prempeh who joined President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at the conference took his audience through the developments in Ghana’s energy sector, especially investments made to bring the best to the nation.

Speaking at the conference and side meetings, the energy minister used the opportunity given him by President Akufo-Addo to reiterate Ghana’s commitment under his leadership, to include nuclear energy in the energy mix because of the many benefits it provides.

Global interest
Earlier, President Akufo-Addo indicated that there has been a growing global interest in nuclear energy, and countries are acting on that interest.

In the opening session of the Scientific Forum, the President shared his plans for the inclusion of nuclear energy in the country’s electricity generation mix. “We’re committed to a clean, equitable energy transition that harnesses the full potential of all low carbon sources, including nuclear power,” President Akufo-Addo said.

He added: “Nuclear power will play a significant part in this transformation.” He said Ghana is analysing small modular reactors and their potential for rapid deployment for clean and affordable energy. “We are working with industry experts to study the feasibility of deploying this new technology in Ghana,” President Akufo-Addo said.

He stated that Ghana is in the process of achieving universal access to electricity including full penetration by 2024.

Decision
The Director-General of IAEA, Rafael Mariano Grossi , said it is clear that each country or community must decide for themselves whether nuclear power is right for them. “But it is also increasingly clear that more and more countries are expressing interest in nuclear energy, and that they are acting on this interest,” he added.

The Director-General said even as public opinion polls around the world show the tide turning in favour of nuclear energy, countries still need to engage stakeholders openly and proactively in their nuclear power programmes.

“Concerted effort and action are warranted at an international scale and therefore this spring there will be a summit on nuclear energy. Bold decisions are required to get us on track towards an affordable, just and sustainable energy future that taps all viable low-carbon technology options, including nuclear energy,” he stated.