The Executive Director of Nuclear Power Ghana (NPG), Dr. Stephen Yamoah, has strongly reaffirmed his outfit’s commitment to its structured nuclear energy agenda.
He stated that floating nuclear power reactors are not part of NPG’s plans.
Speaking at a workshop for the media personnel on October 2, Dr. Yamoah emphasized that Ghana has made significant progress in its nuclear power development, moving methodically through Phase One and Phase Two of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) milestone approach.
According to him, introducing floating nuclear technologies at this stage would not only undermine the country’s credibility but also dilute the serious international reputation Ghana has built in the nuclear sector.
“We have come a long way from where we started. We’ve never recommended floating technology, and no vendor has proposed such a system from the beginning till now,” Dr. Yamoah stated.
He added that Ghana, through NPG, remains focused as a project organization and is currently preparing for site characterization — a crucial step in selecting a location for the country’s first land-based nuclear power plant.
Dr. Yamoah dismissed the idea of a floating nuclear power plant, saying that it is “not of interest to the country”, and reiterated that nuclear energy is not a quick-fix or a stopgap solution. Rather, it should be developed as a long-term, reliable base-load energy source to support Ghana’s industrialization and energy security goals.
“Ghana without a nuclear power plant is much better than Ghana with a floating nuclear power plant,” he remarked, warning that any diversion from the carefully planned nuclear agenda could erode international confidence.
The Executive Director also assured the public and stakeholders that NPG remains committed as the technical administrator of the project, and will continue to uphold international best practices in its vendor and technology selection process.
Ghana is on the path of embracing Nuclear Power as an alternative and sustainable base load power to meet its growing power demands while
reducing over-reliance on hydro and fossil fuels and ensuring energy security.
Leveraging on nuclear power as a primary source can enhance the value addition of natural resources, fostering synergy among companies and facilitating sustainable economic growth and job creation opportunities.
The strategic move will not only make Ghana a potential power hub in the sub region, but also position Ghana favourably in the global market, ensuring long-term economic resilience and environmental stewardship.
