Ghana is looking to complete Phase Two of its nuclear power programme and to start preparatory activities towards construction within the first term of the current project leadership, Dr Archibold Buah-Kwofie, Director of the Nuclear Power Institute of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (NPI-GAEC) has told the Ghana News Agency.
Phase Two comprises site studies, public communication, institutional development and vendor negotiations, and its completion will pave the way for Phase Three, the construction stage under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Milestones Approach. “We have gotten to a point in that programme which is very critical. Phase Two is the project phase, and what we do in Phase Two will determine how fast the next activity, which is construction – Phase Three – will happen,” he said.
Dr Buah-Kwofie said his vision was to contribute towards completing most Phase Two activities and initiating preliminary Phase Three steps, including site characterisation, strengthening project organisational structures and supporting the government in vendor negotiations. He stressed the need to improve public awareness and understanding of nuclear technology.
“To sensitise the public, we are running … the Nuclear Information, Communication & Education Campaign, which will seek to educate and create awareness among the general populace about nuclear and its benefits – not just for power, but in general,” he said.
He explained that the IAEA Milestones Approach guided countries through three progressive phases, each requiring technical, legal, financial and institutional actions before advancing to the next stage. Phase One involved preparatory studies and assessments to determine national readiness. IAEA identified 19 nuclear infrastructure issues to be addressed across the phases, with increasing requirements as the project progressed.
As to Ghana’s progress, he said the country was advancing steadily but not at the anticipated pace due to challenges common to developing nuclear programmes. “Are we progressing? Yes. Are we progressing at the pace that we hoped? Maybe not,” he stated, citing funding constraints among key institutions and noting that competing national priorities often delayed resource allocation.
“Funding is always a challenge and there are always competing interests for resources, he said. “But because this is a national strategic activity, we are hoping that going forward, government will accord it the attention and secure some sort of funding to help prosecute those activities.”
Dr Buah-Kwofie said the programme continued to receive government support and collaboration from development partners and expressed optimism that this would translate into the resources required to accelerate implementation. He appealed to the media to support public education efforts and promote accurate information on nuclear technology and its national benefits.
