The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) delivered the final report of a mission that reviewed Ghana’s infrastructure development for a nuclear power programme.
The Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) mission that took place in January 2017 reviewed the status of development of the 19 infrastructure issues using the Phase 1 criteria of the IAEA's Milestones Approach.
Mikhail Chudakov, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Energy, handed the report to Boakye Agyarko, Ghana’s Minister of Energy.
“Although Ghana is still in an early phase, I am encouraged that it has already enacted a comprehensive nuclear law, established an intendent Nuclear Regulatory Authority, and is currently reviewing and developing new regulations,” said Chudakov.
In accepting the INIR mission report, Minister Agyarko assured the IAEA that the Ministry would carefully study the report and address its recommendations.
“The inclusion of nuclear energy into the national energy mix is in line with the country’s short-to-medium term national development target, as we strive to meet the growing energy demand of our country,” he said. “If we are to make significant gains in providing reliable energy, then all options including nuclear energy must be considered.”
Benjamin Nyarko, Director General of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission and Vice Chairman of the Ghana Nuclear Power Programme Organization, welcomed the outcome of the INIR mission. “The INIR mission provided the country with an objective review of the status of our nuclear infrastructure development. It has helped identify priority areas that we need to focus on to enable us to fulfill the requirements of the Phase 1 milestone of our Roadmap."
Mr. Chudakov underlined that the IAEA will offer targeted technical assistance in key areas, as agreed between Ghana and the IAEA during an Integrated Work Plan (IWP) meeting in March.
The INIR mission to Ghana, conducted at the invitation of the Government, had found that while the country has made significant progress in the development of its nuclear power infrastructure, completion of all studies is needed for the government to make a knowledgeable commitment to a nuclear power programme.
