Cabinet has approved the reformation of Ghana’s National Nuclear Energy Programme, Mr Richard Gyan-Mensah, the Deputy Minister of Energy and Green Transition, has announced.
Speaking at the launch of the ninth edition of the Ghana Energy Awards, he said the approval positioned Ghana to harness nuclear energy as a reliable and sustainable power source.
Mr. Gyan-Mensah emphasised the role of nuclear energy in meeting the country’s growing power demands and enhancing energy security.
He noted that energy is about human lives at the most basic level and underscored the government’s commitment to providing stable and reliable electricity for all Ghanaians.
The event, which will be held on the themed “Repositioning the Energy Sector as a Pillar of National Development,” aims to inspire bold innovation and reform across the energy sector.
Awards will be presented in categories such as Energy Personality of the Year, Emerging Female Leader in Energy, and the Energy Signature Award.
A panel chaired by Mr Kwame Jantuah and including Dr Lawrence Tetteh and Dr Kwame Ampofo will assess nominations.
Mr Gyan-Mensah noted that the approval marked a new phase in Ghana’s nuclear ambitions, a long-standing goal of successive governments.
He revealed that the country has progressed to Phase Two of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) programme, with 60 per cent of the site acquisition process completed.
“This development is a core component of the government’s broader energy transition framework, which seeks to strategically diversify energy sources and promote clean, affordable energy,” he said.
He added that the recent renaming of the ministry to the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition reflected that commitment, extending beyond solar and hydro to include nuclear power.
The Deputy Minister also disclosed the establishment of a Renewable Energy and Green Transition Fund to attract sustainable investments and support green initiatives.
“This complements the nuclear energy programme, which is seen as a crucial pillar for industrialisation, job creation, and sustainable development,” he said.
Highlighting other achievements, Mr. Gyan-Mensah cited the rollout of over 200 megawatts of solar power projects and a 25-megawatt floating solar plant at the Bui Hydropower Station, developed in collaboration with the German KfW Bank.
He also noted the successful commissioning of grid systems in several communities, bringing electricity to over 3,700 residents.
Mr Gyan-Mensah said the government was reinforcing reforms in the electricity value chain, modernising infrastructure to reduce losses and reintroducing private sector participation to improve efficiency.
These reforms, he said, aim to enhance regulatory compliance and ensure quality and price stability across the energy sector.
He urged stakeholders to embrace the Ghana Energy Awards theme, which aligned with the strategic repositioning of the energy sector as a cornerstone of national development.
GNA
