The Executive Director of Nuclear Power Ghana (NPG), Dr Stephen Yamoah has underscored the potential of nuclear energy to transform the economy.
He noted that contrary to popular belief, nuclear power is not only for electricity generation.
“Nuclear energy is not just about generating electricity. It is about unlocking opportunities that can revolutionise Ghana’s economy,” he told journalists last week during a media briefing.
“It is not the case that because we need about 200,000 megawatts of electricity, so let’s find a technology to do that. But we are looking at nuclear as an industry that supports and drives other industries along for Ghana’s industrialization agenda.
“That is our goal as an organization. So, we are looking at nuclear to support Ghana’s economic and industrial transformation agenda. Nuclear has enormous potential to do that,” Dr Yamoah emphasized.
According to him, “Some key areas of the Ghanaian economy where nuclear energy can have profound impact on include, powering and transforming the industrial sector, securing water supply, driving innovation and economic diversification, export potential, regional leadership, boosting agriculture for food security and advancing healthcare.”
The NPG boss disclosed that, “Already, the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) has various institutes that are applying the technology for areas such as healthcare and agriculture.”
He further stated that, “To realize these benefits, Ghana is developing a comprehensive infrastructure, fostering Private-Public Partnerships to attract investments and strengthen human resource capacity through education and training and engaging in bilateral cooperation to maximize the technology’s benefits.”
He said his outfit is in the process of disseminating to the general public, the transformative potential of nuclear power to gain the needed buy-in.
“We are also taking initiatives to propagate this message to various audiences. I have been engaging various audiences on social media-facebook, Linkden etc,” he indicated.
Dr Yamoah added that in recognition of the role of the media in this endeavour, a media perception survey on nuclear energy will be undertaken in collaboration with the University of Media Arts and Communication (UniMAC) to gauge the understanding of journalists in the subject.
“We will also undertake community outreach programmes, and a nationwide survey to address public concerns and enhance nuclear awareness,” the NPG boss intimated.
Dr Yamoah urged journalists and media owners to join in the effort by spreading the good news about nuclear power by offering their platforms for that purpose.
He stated that fortunately, the needed governmental support has been secured.
“The conversation is no longer about if we should have nuclear energy. It’s about when and how we execute it efficiently,” he assured.
Dr Yamoah further stated that the 8th Parliament could not consider the Bill on nuclear energy, thus his outfit will present it to the 9th Parliament.
“The Bill has not gone through. We have to start the process again,” he said.
He announced that a modern nuclear power plant simulator has been installed at the University of Ghana’s School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences.
“This is one of only four in the world. This facility will train Ghanaian professionals, ensuring a skilled workforce for the nuclear sector,” he noted.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Bui Power Authority urged all stakeholders to support the resort of nuclear energy.
“Nuclear power is very reliable. I urge all stakeholders to be committed to the nuclear agenda.” he said
According to him, BPA has expanded its scope into production of solar energy. “We have a vision to be leaders in solar power in the coming years, ”he declared.
The General Secretary of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Mr Kofi Yeboah, pledged the commitment of members to the nuclear cause. He applauded the Management of NPG for involving journalists from the get-go.
“Most organizations neglect the media during the early stages of their projects, only engaging them when their projects are either completed or when problems arise. I must say, it is not only within the space but to a very large extent, whenever a project is being implemented, they don’t carry the media along. They make the media an appendage and it has never been the best,” he said.
He also urged the NPG to bring journalists from media houses that broadcast in the local languages onboard in order to ensure that the message goes down to the masses.
“We should do well to bring the local language media houses on board, especially where they are talking science and technical issues. Even in English, a lot of time, it is very difficult to break down the jargons and the issues,” he explained.
