Albert Oppong-Ansah
Accra, Sept. 28, GNA – African countries have been urged to consider nuclear energy as a strategic option for meeting rising electricity demand and accelerating industrialisation.
Professor Francis Kwame Otoo, Director-General of the Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NRA), said the option could provide reliable, affordable and sustainable power while supporting economic diversification and improving living standards.
He made the call at a side event organised under the auspices of the African Commission on Nuclear Energy (AFCONE) on the theme: “Strategic Nuclear Energy Pathways: African Nations’ Perspective.”
Prof. Otoo said Africa was at a defining moment as countries faced growing demand for reliable energy while also seeking to meet their climate commitments.
He described nuclear energy as a clean, dependable and scalable source of power that could contribute to meeting those needs.
Prof. Otoo said Ghana’s nuclear energy programme was not merely aspirational, noting that the country had been systematically developing the infrastructure, human resources and institutional arrangements required to introduce nuclear power responsibly.
He said Ghana was being guided by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Milestones Approach in developing the necessary structures for its nuclear power programme.
At the same time, he said, Ghana was strengthening the regulatory foundation required to support a credible nuclear energy programme.
Prof. Otoo said African countries should not adopt a single approach to nuclear energy because their energy needs, electricity grids and financial capacities differed.
He said the continent’s nuclear energy strategy should, therefore, allow for different options, ranging from large nuclear reactors to Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), depending on the circumstances of individual countries.
Prof. Otoo stressed the importance of strong and independent regulatory institutions, saying effective regulation, appropriate legal frameworks and robust safety and security arrangements were essential for building investor confidence, public trust and international cooperation.
He said Africa’s nuclear energy ambitions would also depend heavily on investment in human resources.
Prof. Otoo called for sustained investment in nuclear education, training and knowledge management, as well as closer cooperation among African countries.
“No African nation can build this future alone,” he said, stressing the importance of regional solidarity in developing the continent’s nuclear energy sector.
Prof. Otoo said the NRA, established under the Nuclear Regulatory Authority Act, 2015 (Act 895), remained committed to supporting Ghana’s nuclear energy pathway while contributing to AFCONE’s broader continental agenda.
He said the Authority would continue working with the IAEA, the Forum of Nuclear Regulatory Bodies in Africa (FNRBA) and other African regulatory bodies.
Prof. Otoo said Africa’s future nuclear energy development would depend on collective efforts rather than the actions of any single country.
He called for stronger cooperation, sharing of expertise and sustained investment in people and institutions to enable Africa to develop a nuclear energy future that was safe and secure.
“Ghana remains ready to walk this pathway together with AFCONE, fellow African States and international partners,” he said.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
Reporter: Albert Oppong-Ansah
Email: [email protected].