Written by Joana Mantey | From Voice of America

Ghana is set to become the second country in Africa to introduce nuclear energy after South Africa. This follows the International Atomic Energy Agency approval of Ghana’s application after decades of negotiation. The project could have a large impact on Ghana’s power shortfall and raises questions about what safety protocols are in place.

Ghana’s nuclear ambitions date back to the 1960s but stalled after the overthrow of Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president. Now, with erratic power supply from hydro and thermal energy sources, the country is focused on a more reliable means of power generation.

Robert Sogbadji, in charge of nuclear and alternative energy at Ghana’s Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, has high hopes for the project.

“Now we have rejuvenated the whole idea to go nuclear because it was envisaged that it would be so cheap that we would not even have to price electricity. We would write in our history books that once we used to ration power in this country. It will [also] spring new industries in steel technology, welding and various robotic roles. All these are spin offs from nuclear power,” said Sogbadji.

Ghana will begin to build its first nuclear power plant in the next 5 years. When it is fully operational in 2025, it will generate 1,000 megawatts of power – about 50% of Ghana’s current total installed capacity for electricity generation. Ghana eventually hopes to become a power exporter to its West African neighbors.

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