Ghana is exploring nuclear energy to power industrialisation – President Mahama

Ghana is exploring nuclear energy as an alternative power source to support industrialisation and the local processing of the country’s mineral resources.

The country’s ambition to move beyond exporting raw minerals to processing them locally would require a reliable and affordable electricity supply to power industrial operations.

President John Dramani Mahama disclosed this at the Russian University of Transport in Moscow on Tuesday where he discussed his vision for Ghana’s economic transformation and job creation.

“We are looking at alternative energy sources. That is why we are looking at nuclear, adding nuclear energy to the mix. I know that Russia has advanced technology in some of these things, so we will work with that,” he said.

The President explained that Ghana’s position as a major producer of gold, bauxite and manganese presented opportunities to create more value from its mineral resources through local processing and refining.

He said achieving that objective would require sufficient electricity to support industrial activities and create jobs for young people.

“My dream is to translate the macroeconomic success into jobs and opportunities for the young people. How we set the stage for the country to industrialise. That’s my dream,” he said.

President Mahama’s remarks point to potential cooperation between Ghana and Russia in the energy sector, with the President expressing interest in Russia’s advanced nuclear technology.

He is in Moscow to participate in the third Russia-Africa Summit and is expected to hold bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin to explore further areas of cooperation between the two countries.

Richard Aniagyei, ISD