Ghana’s Push for Nuclear Power: Expert Calls for Dedicated Financing Mechanism
Ghana’s energy landscape is at a crossroads. While the country has long depended on hydropower from the Akosombo Dam and thermal plants for electricity, growing demand, climate‑related variability in water availability, and volatile fossil‑fuel prices are exposing the limits of that mix. In response, a group of Ghanaian energy professionals is urging the government to accelerate its nuclear ambitions and to create a dedicated funding stream that would reduce reliance on existing utilities whose balance sheets they describe as “tenuous”.
A Targeted Levy on Petroleum Products
Wisdom Ahiataku‑Togobo, a former director of renewable energy at the Bui Power Authority and a recognized sustainable‑energy expert, proposes that the government introduce a levy on petroleum products specifically earmarked for the nuclear programme. According to Ahiataku‑Togobo, such a mechanism would:
- Provide a predictable revenue stream insulated from the fiscal pressures faced by state‑owned utilities.
- Signal strong political commitment to investors and development partners.
- Allow the nuclear project to move beyond feasibility studies into actual construction without waiting for ad‑hoc budget allocations.
He notes that similar dedicated funds have been used successfully in countries such as the United Kingdom, where the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority receives a portion of electricity levies to manage legacy sites (GOV.UK, 2023).
From Concept to Construction: Accelerating the Phases
Ghana’s nuclear roadmap, first outlined in the 1990s, is divided into three phases: (1) policy and legal framework establishment, (2) preparatory work including site selection and stakeholder engagement, and (3) construction and commissioning of a nuclear power plant. Ahiataku‑Togobo argues that recent power‑shortage episodes should serve as a catalyst to push the country swiftly from phase two into phase three.
Achieving this transition would enable Ghana to deliver reliable baseload electricity capable of supporting the government’s 24‑hour economic policy, which aims to keep factories, ports, and digital services operating around the clock. Stable power is also a prerequisite for expanding energy‑intensive industries such as aluminium smelting and agro‑processing, sectors identified in the Ghana Industrial Policy as drivers of job creation and export growth.
Small Modular Reactors: A Pragmatic Path Forward
Dr. Stephen Yamoah, Managing Director of Nuclear Power Ghana, advocates for the adoption of small modular reactors (SMRs) rather than traditional large‑scale units. He highlights several advantages:
- Capital cost: SMRs in the 300 MW range are estimated to cost between $2 billion and $3 billion per unit, considerably less than the $6 billion‑plus price tag of conventional 1 GW reactors (World Nuclear Association, 2022).
- Construction timeline: Modular factory fabrication and on‑site assembly can reduce build time to three to five years, compared with the six‑ to ten‑year schedules typical of large reactors.
- Scalability: Additional modules can be added incrementally as demand grows, allowing the plant to evolve with the nation’s industrial expansion.
- Safety: Passive safety features inherent to many SMR designs reduce reliance on active cooling systems and operator intervention.
Dr. Yamoah presented these points during an online media workshop hosted by the Ghana Energy Commission, where he emphasized that SMRs align well with Ghana’s grid size and limited transmission infrastructure.
Emergency Preparedness: A Prerequisite for Licensing
Ms. Alberta Blair, an engineer at Nuclear Power Ghana, stresses that regulatory approval cannot be granted without robust emergency preparedness measures. She recommends a phased approach:
- Upgrade regional hospitals to handle radiation‑related incidents, including decontamination units and specialized medical staff.
- Conduct regular training programmes for physicians, nurses, and first responders, drawing on curricula from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) (IAEA, 2021).
- Organize community drills in the vicinity of the proposed site to familiarize residents with evacuation routes, shelter‑in‑place procedures, and communication protocols.
Such steps not only satisfy IAEA safety standards but also build public trust—a critical factor for the long‑term acceptance of nuclear technology.
Strategic Benefits of Nuclear Energy for Ghana
Dr. Robert BM Sogbadji, Programme Coordinator for Nuclear Energy in Ghana, underscores the economic and environmental merits of adding nuclear to the national mix:
- Cost stability: Nuclear fuel costs are relatively insensitive to global oil price swings, offering a hedge against the volatility that has historically driven up electricity tariffs.
- Low carbon intensity: Life‑cycle analyses show nuclear power emits roughly 12 g CO₂‑eq/kWh, comparable to wind and far below coal or natural gas (IPCC AR6, 2021).
- Baseload reliability: Unlike solar and wind, nuclear plants provide continuous output, essential for maintaining grid frequency and supporting industrial loads.
- Technology spill‑over: Investment in nuclear expertise can catalyze advances in related fields such as medical isotopes, materials science, and high‑precision manufacturing.
These points reinforce the view that nuclear energy is not merely an alternative power source but a cornerstone of a resilient, low‑carbon energy strategy capable of underpinning Ghana’s long‑term development goals.
Looking Ahead
The conversation among Ghana’s energy experts converges on a clear pathway: establish a dedicated financing mechanism—potentially a petroleum levy—prioritize SMR technology for its cost‑effectiveness and scalability, and invest early in emergency preparedness and public engagement. If these steps are taken, Ghana could move from conceptual plans to an operational nuclear plant within a decade, delivering clean, stable electricity that fuels industrial growth, reduces import dependence, and contributes to global climate objectives.
