Powering Ghana's Economic Development through Nuclear Energy

This report examines Ghana's efforts to integrate nuclear energy into its power mix to support economic development and industrialisation. It details the country's history of energy crises, the transition from power shortages to excess supply, and the long-term strategic goal of achieving universal electricity access and a highly industrialised economy within four decades.

• Ghana has historically suffered from chronic electricity shortages where demand outstripped supply, leading to energy crises in 1983–1984, 1997–1998, 2003, 2006–2007, and 2011–2017. These interruptions hindered economic progress, causing a loss of $680 million in gross domestic product in 2014 alone.
• By 2020, Ghana shifted from power shortages to an excess of electricity supply due to 43 power purchasing agreements signed with three independent power producers between 2014 and 2017. This surplus is currently costing the government more than $500 million annually because 'take-or-pay' contracts require payment regardless of consumption.
• Ghana's current energy capacity is dominated by thermal power plants, which account for approximately 63% of total installed capacity. While the 2007 discovery of oil and gas reduced operating costs, these resources are expected to be depleted by 2045, prompting the search for sustainable alternatives.
• The National Electrification Scheme (NES), established in 1989, aimed for 100% electricity access by 2020. While it failed to meet that specific deadline, access increased from 15–20% at the start to an estimated 85% by 2019, with a revised target for universal access in 2022.
• Ghana has a long history of nuclear research, including the 1961 Kwabenya Nuclear Reactor Project and the 1963 establishment of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC). The Ghana Research Reactor-1 (GHARR-1), commissioned in 1994, was converted from highly enriched uranium (HEU) to low enriched uranium (LEU) fuel in 2014 to eliminate nuclear weapons proliferation risks.
• The development of a national nuclear power programme has been repeatedly stalled by political instability, including military coups in 1966 and 1973, and a lack of follow-through after a 2008 government change. Despite this, Ghana aims to incorporate nuclear energy into its electricity mix by 2029.
• The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) conducted an Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) in January 2017 and a follow-up in 2019. The 2017 review emphasized the need for a solid legal framework, further studies to inform the implementation decision, and stakeholder engagement. By 2019, Ghana had completed eight of 12 recommendations and six of eight suggestions.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2021). Powering Ghana's Economic Development through Nuclear Energy. https://saiia.org.za/research/powering-ghanas-economic-development-through-nuclear-energy/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. Powering Ghana's Economic Development through Nuclear Energy. 2021. https://saiia.org.za/research/powering-ghanas-economic-development-through-nuclear-energy/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=Powering Ghana's Economic Development through Nuclear Energy |date=24 February 2021 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/powering-ghanas-economic-development-through-nuclear-energy/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2021powering, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{Powering Ghana's Economic Development through Nuclear Energy}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2021}, month = feb, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/powering-ghanas-economic-development-through-nuclear-energy/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }