NPG trains Journalists from the Central, Western regions on Ghana’s nuclear energy roadmap
NPG trains Journalists from the Central, Western regions on Ghana's nuclear energy roadmap
Some selected journalists from the Central and Western parts of Ghana have undergone a two-day virtual workshop on nuclear energy.
The two day virtual workshop organised by the Nuclear Power Ghana (NPG), an organ in charge of the country’s nuclear power drive was intended to build capacity of media outlets as well as reporters on nuclear energy, and the activities undertaken by NPG.
The session brought together media professionals and experts in the fields of nuclear energy to discuss Ghana’s nuclear power roadmap, address public misconceptions, and improve the quality of reportage on nuclear power and green energy-related journalism.
Energy Economist and Planner at the Nuclear Power Institute (NPI) of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), Mr. Mark Amoah Nyasapoh, one of the many experts who took participants through the sessions speaking in an interview on the sidelines with GBCGHANAONLINE’s Franklin ASARE-DONKOH stated emphatically that nuclear energy is the ultimate solution to Ghana’s energy challenges.
Mr. Nyasapoh addressed persistent misconceptions about nuclear power, debunking three major myths with facts and statistics described nuclear fuel as “packed with power” and a sustainable solution to end Ghana’s long-standing power instability issues, commonly known as Dumsor.
Artistic impression of Ghana’s future Nuclear power plant
“We need nuclear as baseload either to augment or help with fixing stability and sustainability in the power sector to ensure the energy security we need,” he said.
The Energy Economist and Planner at NPI further explained that nuclear energy boasts the highest capacity factor at 92.3%, outperforming all other power sources.
Mr. Nyasapoh described nuclear energy as the “energy superstar,” emphasizing its role as a baseload power source critical for national development.
According to him, nuclear is not just powerful—it is the cleanest and safest form of energy available today. This makes it the ideal candidate to support the government’s proposed 24-hour economy policy, championed by President John Mahama, which demands a stable and affordable power supply.
“The energy of the future is already here. Nuclear power promises cheaper electricity and long-term energy reliability for the country, he reiterated.
Meanwhile, the Executive Director of NPG, Dr. Stephen Yamoah, in his presentation, took journalists through the steps taken by the country through his outfit and other supporting institutions.
Laying out the roadmap for the country’s nuclear power project, Dr. Yamoah explained that Ghana is following a well-structured approach aligned with international best practices
This well-structured approach, he noted, is broken into three phases and milestones: Phase 1 – Consider: National decision-making and feasibility studies, Phase 2 – Prepare: Infrastructure development and contracting, and Phase 3 – Construct: Construction and commissioning of nuclear power plants. While the corresponding milestones are: Milestone 1 – Decide, Milestone 2 – Contract, and Milestone 3 – Commission
This structured approach ensures that Ghana meets all technical, regulatory, and safety benchmarks before fully rolling out nuclear power.
In another presentation by the Acting Manager for Localization and Stakeholder Support at Nuclear Power Institute, Mr. George Appiah, emphasized the need to win the public’s trust.
He highlighted the importance of acquiring a public license and ensuring transparency throughout the nuclear power journey.
Mr. Appiah acknowledged the establishment of a credible and independent regulator capable of managing crisis communication, handling emergencies, and debunking misinformation.
He stressed the need for proactive communication strategies that address public concerns head-on and build confidence in the nuclear programme.
