The Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Prof. Nana Ama Klutse, has called for strategic national investments in space technology as a sustainable solution to combat illegal mining (galamsey) and enhance environmental protection in Ghana.
According to her, the recent approval of the Ghana Space Policy by Parliament marks a significant milestone in the country’s commitment to harnessing space science and technology for national development.
Prof. Klutse made the call while speaking at the maiden edition of the Ghana Space Conference held at the University of Ghana, Legon.
She noted that although Ghana is already applying aspects of space technology in various sectors, the country remains largely a consumer rather than a producer of such technologies.
“Ghana is already using space technology and many institutions are applying it in their operations,” she said. “What we are advocating for now is to move beyond being mere users and become producers of these tools. This will give us more economic power and control.”
Prof. Klutse emphasized that while space technology is expensive, the long-term benefits far outweigh the costs, especially if government invests deliberately in building local capacity to produce these technologies.
She highlighted several applications of space science, including precision agriculture and precision mining, which could drastically reduce environmental degradation caused by indiscriminate prospecting.
“With precision mining, there will be no need for random prospecting,” she explained. “Technology will determine exactly what resources are in the soil and where they are located, helping us dig only where necessary. This will minimize land destruction and protect our water bodies.”
The EPA boss further revealed that her agency already employs space technology in monitoring air and water quality, forest cover, land use, and environmental zoning, adding that these applications are crucial for effective environmental management and planning.
On his part, the Director of the Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute (GSSTI), Dr. Joseph Bremang Tandoh, also stressed the need for sustained investments in the country’s growing space sector.
He explained that both the United Nations Convention and the African Space Policy underscore the critical role of space technology in achieving sustainable development, noting that “90 percent of Africa’s challenges can be addressed using space technology.”
Dr. Tandoh disclosed that, alongside the Ghana Space Policy, Parliament has also approved the establishment of a National Space Agency to coordinate all space-related activities across the country.
“We are not starting from scratch,” he stated. “What we need now are resources and deliberate investments to make Ghana an active player in the global space economy.”
He pointed out that the global space economy is valued at about US$600 billion and is projected to reach US$1.3 trillion within the next decade. Africa’s share currently stands at US$22 billion, with significant growth potential if countries like Ghana invest in local production of space technology tools.
“If we continue importing these technologies from the West, we will remain consumers,” Dr. Tandoh cautioned. “Developing our own tools will not only create jobs but also boost the national economy.”
Both speakers underscored that funding remains the major barrier to Ghana’s full participation in the global space technology ecosystem, calling on government and the private sector to prioritize investments in this area to drive innovation, environmental protection, and sustainable development.
