President John Dramani Mahama has announced that Ghana has initiated discussions with Russia's state nuclear corporation, Rosatom, to establish the country's first nuclear power station. The proposed cooperation is part of efforts to secure reliable and affordable electricity to support Ghana's industrialisation and strengthen its energy supply. This move is expected to provide cheap and reliable electricity to support local mineral processing and industrial growth.
President Mahama made the announcement on Thursday, October 29, 2026, while addressing the Third Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow. He stated that industrialization requires reliable and affordable electricity, and Ghana is pursuing a diversified energy mix, including renewables while advancing the foundations for the peaceful use of nuclear energy. The President identified Russia's experience in nuclear and renewable energy as an opportunity for cooperation.
Ghana has a historical relation with Russia in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, dating back to 1964 when the Soviet Union provided Ghana with a 2-megawatt nuclear reactor for scientific and research purposes. Many Ghanaian nuclear scientists were trained in Russia to operate the reactor. However, the construction of a Soviet-assisted 2-megawatt research reactor project was suspended following the overthrow of the government in 1966 and was later cancelled.
President Mahama emphasized that one major obstacle to Africa's progress is the lack of adequate electric power, and Russia's comparative advantage in renewable energy and nuclear power presents an opportunity for cooperation. He noted that Ghana needs a reliable electricity supply to support industrial growth, particularly in the processing of its gold, bauxite, and manganese resources.
The President's announcement follows comments he made on October 27, 2026, during an engagement with students at the Russian University of Transport in Moscow. He stated that Ghana is exploring nuclear energy because the country needs more electricity to support local processing of its mineral resources. Adding nuclear power to Ghana's energy mix could help provide the electricity needed to expand industrial production and create jobs.
Despite the announcement, President Mahama did not provide details about the project's location, cost, or timeline. The talks with Rosatom are expected to move forward, with the goal of establishing Ghana's first nuclear power station. This development is seen as a significant step towards achieving Ghana's industrialisation goals.
The initiative is part of President Mahama's efforts to address Ghana's energy needs and support the country's economic growth. The President's visit to Russia and engagement with Rosatom highlights Ghana's commitment to exploring new opportunities for cooperation in the energy sector.
Key points
- Ghana initiates talks with Russia's Rosatom to establish its first nuclear power station.
- The project aims to provide reliable and affordable electricity to support Ghana's industrialisation and economic growth.
- The development marks a significant step towards achieving Ghana's industrialisation goals.
