Ghana’s ambition to operationalise a 24-hour economy hinges on the inclusion of nuclear power in its energy mix, Deputy Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Mr Richard Gyan-Mensah, has declared.
Addressing stakeholders at a consultative meeting on the Draft Ghana Nuclear Power Corporation Act, 2024, Mr Gyan-Mensah described nuclear energy as a non-negotiable element for achieving sustained industrialisation and reliable power for round-the-clock production. Ghana is targeting 2030 to bring nuclear power onstream.
He argued that Ghana’s current reliance on hydro and thermal sources is inadequate for the long-term economic transformation envisaged under President Mahama’s 24-hour economy agenda, and that nuclear energy offers a reliable base load that can meet rising electricity demand irrespective of time or weather.
“Nuclear power offers a base load to support industrialisation, and it’s going to support President Mahama and the National Democratic Congress’ 24-hour economy very well,” he asserted.
The draft bill, once passed into law, will establish the Ghana Nuclear Power Corporation to spearhead the development, operation, and decommissioning of nuclear facilities. Mr Gyan-Mensah said the Corporation would be a state-owned but commercially driven and technically autonomous entity.
He highlighted the climate benefits of nuclear energy, describing it as a low-carbon option that will help Ghana meet its Paris Agreement obligations while reducing dependence on expensive fossil fuel imports and unreliable renewable sources.
Sharing a personal anecdote, Mr Gyan-Mensah noted his journey from skepticism to advocacy after observing how seamlessly a nuclear facility operated within a residential area in London.
“I raise up my hand to you all to say that I am now a strong advocate for renewable energy and nuclear power as part of it,” he said, urging citizens, civil society, and academia to join the conversation on nuclear energy’s future in Ghana.
Other energy leaders at the event echoed his sentiments. Mr Edudzi Tamakloe, CEO of the National Petroleum Authority, described nuclear energy as a potential “game changer” that would drastically cut the country’s dependence on imported fuels.
Board Chairman of the Electricity Company of Ghana, Mr William Amuna, reinforced the call, noting that while nuclear infrastructure is capital-intensive at the outset, it delivers reliable, long-term benefits in economic, environmental, and security terms.
The stakeholder engagement forms part of broader national efforts to position nuclear power at the heart of Ghana’s economic future.
