The implementation of Ghana’s nuclear power programme will continue as planned despite the change in government, Dr Stephen Yamoah, the Executive Director of Nuclear Power Ghana (NPG), said on Friday.
The nuclear power programme, currently at the latter stages of its second phase, is aimed at using nuclear technology to generate electricity as part of the current energy mix by 2030.
Ghana is pursuing the introduction of nuclear power to increase its low carbon power production to meet energy demands, tackle climate change and increase energy security and diversity, while supporting industrialisation and boosting socio-economic development.
“Even though we have a new party coming to government – that is President Mahama and his team, the good news is that they have thrown their support to accelerate the nuclear programme activities,” he said.
Dr Yamoah said this at the opening of a two-day virtual workshop for some media professionals on the theme: “Transformative Nature of Nuclear Power Technology and its Relevance for Ghanaians.”
“Unlike some countries where a change in government or party in government becomes an issue in terms of the direction of such a programme, luckily for Ghana, as a programme, project development institutions efforts have resulted in a very positive outlook,” he said.
The NPG Executive Director noted that the two government oversight bodies – the Ministry of Energy and Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology – have given firm assurances and support to the programme’s success.
He pledged the commitment of all institutional bodies to accelerate various activities earmarked for phase two of the nuclear power programme.
Currently, Ghana has settled on the candidate site and an alternative site for the construction of its first nuclear power plant as part of the second phase of the programme.
On the essence of the workshop, Dr Yamoah said it was to continually engage with media professionals who did not only serve as a means for information dissemination, but major conduit to court public support and acceptance of the project.
“This meeting is not just for reporting, but to ensure that you are equipped with the requisite knowledge and information to be able to also create some awareness in your small corner,” he said.
Ms Bellona-Gerard Vittor-Quao, the Manager, Public Affairs, NPG, reiterated the great relationship with successive governments regarding the implementation of Ghana’s nuclear power programme.
She touched on the support of the immediate past government, for example, in meeting two major requirements of the International Atomic Energy Agency, contributing immensely to the achievement of the goals of the programme.
GNA
