Five vendors have responded to the “Request for Interest” issued by Ghana through its Ministry of Energy to collaborate with the country under its Nuclear Power Program. The vendors are from the United States, Russia, Canada, and South Korea. Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation Dr. Kwaku Afriyie said this on Sept. 29 when he took his turn at the meet-the-press series in Accra. (“Meet-the-Press-Series” are events organized by the Ministry of Information to, among other things, inform the wider publics on their mandates.)
Dr. Afriyie said the Nuclear Power Program sought to build and safely operate nuclear power plants as part of the country’s energy mix to ensure affordable energy for industrial development. He said the country had exhausted its hydro base source of energy, hence the need to explore other clean options such as nuclear power.
Ghana had completed phase one of the Milestone Approaches towards the development of its nuclear infrastructure, which included pre-feasibility study, assessment of infrastructure, financing, technology to be deployed, safety, security, and siting, he said. Dr. Afriyie said the Program was in its second phase, which entailed engaging with vendors, further site assessment, contracting, recruitment and training staff, more feasibility studies, and signing contracts.
Dr. Afriyie said the completion of the nuclear project, would give Ghana stable power for vehicles and industries. The Minister gave assurance that the nation had competent and well-trained scientists and functional institutions, including the Nuclear Power Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Nuclear Regulatory Authority, and School of Allied and Nuclear Sciences championing the country’s Nuclear Energy Program.
