‘Ghana Technically Ready For Nuclear Power’

Albert Oppong Ansah addressing the participants

 

Ghana is technically ready to build a nuclear power plant, with the necessary experts and an institutional framework in place as it has completed the first phase of requirements for developing nuclear energy, and is currently in phase two.

Speaking at the US Embassy in Accra during “Freedom250: Advancing Sustainable Nuclear Energy: A Journalist’s Perspective,” Albert Oppong Ansah said Ghana already has a research reactor and professionals working with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and other global bodies.

“We have technical experts who are even working at international levels. We are developing more solutions to take it up. For readiness, we are ready,” he stated.

Addressing public fears, Mr. Oppong Ansah said modern nuclear plants have advanced safety systems. He cited containment domes designed to confine any accident. “If anything happens, it’s confined. You don’t get exposed to it. That’s why, after Fukushima and Chernobyl, safety has improved far advanced,” he explained.

He added that every nuclear facility is required to set aside huge funds as reserves to manage any incident. Water used in plants is also treated to ensure safety before release. On financing, he noted that selecting a vendor is like entering “a 100-year partnership” with a country. However, he expressed concern that nuclear funding has not appeared in the national budget.

The journalist warned that Ghana’s growing energy demand, driven by air conditioning, electric vehicles and population growth, means the country cannot rely on gas forever, saying, “Everybody is using air conditioning. Electric vehicles are coming. For how long can we continue to buy gas from Nigeria or from our fields? It will run out.”

He stated that nuclear offers a sustainable, clean option to complement other sources as well as reduce pollution from methane and waste burning.

Mr. Oppong Ansah indicated that while nuclear energy is expensive and estimates keep changing due to goods and services, the long-term gains for Ghana’s energy security make it worthwhile.

BY Prince Fiifi Yorke

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