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NPG unveils more insights on Ghana’s Nuclear Power Project at media workshop

NPG unveils more insights on Ghana’s Nuclear Power Project at media workshop 1024 616 Nuclear Power Ghana

Acting Manager in-charge of Engineering Development at Nuclear Power Ghana Ing. Mumuni Sulley has disclosed that Ghana is currently in the second phase of the Milestone Approach to establish nuclear power plants as part of the country’s energy mix. He explained that Ghana’s progress in the nuclear power project is dependent on resolving 19 infrastructural issues outlined in the Ghana IAEA Milestone Approach.

Speaking at a Media workshop organized by Nuclear Power Ghana (NPG) in Accra on Thursday, June 6, 2024, Ing. Mumuni Sulley highlighted that activities under the Milestone Approach involve signing Memorandums of understanding with partners to develop the competency of personnel for operating Ghana’s first nuclear power plants. He emphasized the importance of community-stakeholder engagement, education, and information dissemination to gain public trust.

Dr. Stephen Yamoah, Executive Director of Nuclear Power Ghana, mentioned that the site acquisition process for the nuclear power plants is progressing, while Dr. Archibold Buah-Kwofie, Acting Director of Nuclear Power Institute, mentioned plans to include the study of nuclear power in the school curriculum to encourage careers in the field.

Dominic Hlordzi, National Organizer of the Ghana Journalists Association, stressed the importance of media practitioners in educating the public to overcome misconceptions about nuclear power. Anthony Bells Kafui Kanyi, Deputy News Editor of Ghana News Agency (GNA), disclosed the establishment of an Energy Desk at GNA to support the nuclear power program, highlighting challenges and the need for retooling.

Emmanuel Opare Djan, National Organizer of the Private Newspaper Publishers and Online Association of Ghana (PRINPAG), expressed readiness to tap into business opportunities in nuclear power for industrial growth, urging Nuclear Power Ghana to involve the media in the business aspects. Lawyer Zacharia Tanko Musah, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Media, Arts and Communication UniMAC-IJ, emphasized the importance of fact-checking for media practitioners.

For his part, Head of Legal Department at Bui Power Authority and Nuclear Power Board Secretary Lawyer Franklin Addai acknowledged that the spread of information and media repotage on Ghana’s nuclear power project is gradually gaining grounds.

AGI backs Ghana’s nuclear power agenda to ease cost burden

Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Ghana Industries, Seth Twum-Akwaboah has highlighted the hindrance of high electricity costs to Ghana’s industrialization efforts and advocated for public backing in the establishment of a nuclear power plant to alleviate the burden of power expenses. He noted that while there have been improvements in electricity supply, issues of reliability and cost persist in the industry, with electricity costs representing a significant portion of total production expenses. Twum-Akwaboah also shared statistics indicating that industries consume 42% of the country’s energy mix. Emphasizing the importance of integrating nuclear power into Ghana’s energy sources, he underscored its reliability and cost-effectiveness. He expressed the AGI’s readiness to capitalize on the opportunities offered by the Nuclear Power Project, believing it could help address energy deficiencies, foster industrial growth, and propel national development. Twum-Akwaboah urged for public apprehensions regarding nuclear power to be dispelled to garner unified support for the initiative.

Overview of Ghana’s energy mix

According to the Energy Commission, Ghana’s electricity mix in 2022 comprises Thermal plants accounting for 68.9%, Hydroelectric Power at 29.0%, and Renewable Energy, mainly solar, making up 2.1%. Ghana currently boasts a commendable electrification rate of 89% as of 2022 and aims to achieve nationwide electricity access by 2030. Data provided by the Energy Commission reveals that the industrial sector stands as the largest consumer of electricity in Ghana, consuming 42% of the total electricity in 2022. Despite improvements in electricity supply, industries continue to grapple with challenges related to reliability and cost. Notably, electricity expenses make up a significant portion, ranging from 20% to 30%, of the total production costs for industrial operations.

Speaking at a workshop for media professionals by Nuclear Power Ghana in Accra, CEO of the Association of Ghana Industries, Seth Twum-Akwaboah, emphasized that the “high cost of electricity in Ghana as a barrier to industrialization and advocates for the construction of a nuclear power plant to alleviate this burden. He pointed out that electricity costs make up a significant portion of production expenses for industries. Electricity supply has improved but reliability and cost are still a challenge for the industry. Electricity costs constitute a total 20% o 30% of total production cost of industries “.

Mr. Twum-Akwaboah highlighted that ” industries consume a large portion of Ghana’s energy, and proposes the addition of nuclear power to the energy mix as a reliable and cost-effective solution. He stresses the importance of public support for the Nuclear Power Project to address energy deficits, boost industrial growth, and promote national development, while addressing concerns about the feasibility of nuclear power”.

The theme of the workshop for media professionals was ‘Media Support for Ghana’s Nuclear Power Project – The Journey So Far.’

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