By Edward Acquah
Accra, Oct. 17, GNA- Civil society organisations (CSOs) in the energy sector have called for the creation of sustainable funding avenues to accelerate the implementation of Ghana’s Nuclear Power Programme.
The CSOs expressed concern that many years since the start of the nuclear programme, the country appeared not to be closer to constructing and operating her first Nuclear Power Plant against the 2030 target.
The CSOs made the call during an engagement with the leadership of the Nuclear Power Ghana (NPG), the owner and operator of Ghana’s proposed Nuclear Power Plant, and the Director General of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), Professor Samuel Boakye Dampare.
The meeting was to update the CSOs on the progress of Ghana’s Nuclear Power Programme/Project as part of stakeholder involvement activities as the country continues discussions on vendor and the choice of technology.
The CSOs that participated in the meeting included the Institute for Energy Security (IES), African Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP), the Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors (CBOD), and the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC).
Also represented was one of the main long-term beneficiaries of the nuclear project, the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI).
Ghana has targeted constructing and operating her first nuclear power plant by 2030 – but the target remains uncertain in the wake of irregular and inadequate funding for the nuclear programme implementation.
During the engagement, it was noted that although Ghana had proven technical competence within the GAEC to achieve the key deliverables of the nuclear programme, funding remained a major challenge despite the contributions of shareholders – Volta River Authority and the Bui Power Authority.
The CSOs proposed an urgent national dialogue on nuclear power to confirm commitments to funding and timely completion of the Project.
Mr Kwame Jantuah, Chairman of the Oil and Gas Sector, AGI, said the country must invest in the provision of affordable and reliable energy to support massive industrialisation to create jobs and boost the country’s finances.
He observed that the activities of the NPG since its establishment had not been progressive as per the roadmap developed in 2016 with the support of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), citing funding and other legislative instrument constraints as a major setback.
“Realistically, the NPG and the Nuclear Power Institute of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission are struggling to address the IAEA nuclear power infrastructure issues because they do not have the necessary funding and resources to work with. We are not processing our natural resources because we do not have reliable and sustainable energy to broaden our value chain opportunities. If we are going nuclear then we need to consciously devote funding and resources to it.” Mr Jantuah said.
Nana Amoasi VII, the Executive Director, IES, urged NPG and GAEC to “be open” to the stakeholders on the real issues holding back the timely realisation of the Project.
Professor Nana Ama Browne Klutse, Head of Physics Department, University of Ghana, said there should be commitment at the national level due to the Project’s ability to transform the industrial sector and create the value additions associated with the technology.
“I believe that we can develop sustainably with nuclear power as part of our energy mix and as a country we should be interested in pursuing the progress of the nuclear project that we want to have for our development,” she said.
Mr Duncan Amoah, Executive Secretary, COPEC, said the proposed National Dialogue on Nuclear Project and Programme should engage political actors to make public commitments towards the timely realisation of the project.
“We want to see utter commitment from the political parties towards this national goal to achieve our energy security,” he said.
Dr Stephen Yamoah, Executive Director, NPG, assured the CSOs that the Organisation with the support of the shareholders would continue to engage all relevant stakeholders as it worked towards the timely delivery of Ghana’s first nuclear power plant.
GNA