Another strong defense of nuclear power as the centerpiece solution for the supposed “climate crisis” has arisen from the heart of Africa, this time from Ghana. The setting was a conference organized by Ghana’s Nuclear Power Institute (NPI), specifically on how best to meet COP25’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 8 and 9: Decent Work and Economic Growth; and Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, respectively. The speaker was Professor Benjamin Nyarko, who is at once the Director-General of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission and Vice President of Ghana Nuclear Power Program Organization, the two component members of the NPI.
In Dr. Nyarko’s view, these two SDGs were interdependent, and without industrialization there would be no economic development. “Industries drive the economy of every nation and for industries to thrive, energy will be required, and not just any form of energy but a dense, stable, clean and affordable energy and that is where nuclear energy comes in,” he said. “What we are saying is that it should be an addition to Ghana’s energy mix—just as South Korea and other developed countries have done and are enjoying the benefits.” In fact, as Nyarko saw it, not only was nuclear technology necessary for SDGs 8 and 9, but actually for 9 of the 17 “goals” — such as #2, Agriculture ("Hunger"); #3, Health; #9, Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure — would benefit from nuclear applications.
Director of Nuclear Power Ghana Dr Stephen Yamoah additionally held up the image of South Korea’s industrial transformation, of which nuclear energy played a key role. Yamoah explained: “Today [South Korea is] not just an economic giant, they are selling nuclear technologies and nuclear power plants to other countries. Nuclear energy is a very interesting technology that as a country we must take very seriously to help transform our country.” Ghana has already declared its intent to be home to Africa’s second nuclear power plant.
In its choice of topic Ghana was circuitously bypassing many of the goals which the UN might consider more important, such as #3 on Gender Equality, #10 on Reduced Inequalities, or #16 on Peace and Justice. And nothing in the UN literature on SDGs 8 and 9 suggests anything like this, their numerous “targets” being unquantifiable generalizations in which “sustainable” was the most common theme. Nyarko’s call is thus yet another in a growing chorus of voices who see the real Green issue as Africa’s rightful chance to develop — to achieve parity with the West, something for which the continent now has China as a shining example.
The Ghana meeting has received wide circulation, both within Ghana and beyond, with the Ghana Times’ account having been picked up by AllAfrica aggregator.