The government of Ghana is advancing plans to establish a National Space Agency, marking a significant step in the country's efforts to build a coordinated national space programme. The Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Dr Zanetor Agyemang-Rawlings, announced the development at a press conference in Accra on October 5, 2026. The initiative is part of her First 100 Days Public Engagement Agenda, aimed at moving Ghana's space science and technology agenda from aspiration to implementation.
The proposed agency will provide a stronger institutional framework for coordinating Ghana's space activities, developing national space programmes, promoting research and innovation, and facilitating public-private partnerships. It will also support the development of space infrastructure and related technologies. According to Dr Agyemang-Rawlings, processes are already underway to draft a Bill for the establishment of the agency, following Cabinet's approval. The transformation is expected to provide the country with the appropriate legal, institutional, technical, and operational framework to coordinate its space activities.
The new agency will focus on the practical use of satellite and geospatial technologies across various sectors, including agriculture, environmental monitoring, disaster management, telecommunications, mining, logistics, insurance, and national security. A major goal is to expand investment in skills covering aerospace and satellite engineering, remote sensing, geospatial science, artificial intelligence, robotics, and data science. The government also aims to position Ghana as a regional hub for Earth observation.
The Director of the Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute, Dr Joseph Bremang Tandoh, highlighted the need for a central agency to address the fragmentation of space-related activities across government institutions. Currently, different ministries undertake activities requiring satellite data independently, making coordination and resource use more difficult. A national agency will be able to coordinate the acquisition and processing of satellite imagery and make the resulting information available to government institutions.
Ghana currently relies on third-party providers for satellite imagery, as it does not have a satellite in orbit. Dr Tandoh noted that stronger domestic capabilities could provide more timely information for areas such as border surveillance, agriculture, flood forecasting, and environmental monitoring. The government's space ambitions are built on an existing policy framework, with Ghana's Space Policy calling for a coordinated national space programme, development of space infrastructure and human resources, research and development, and commercialisation of space applications.
The government is also seeking to expand international partnerships as it develops its space capabilities. In September 2026, Ghana and Japan explored deeper cooperation in space science, technology, and innovation. Ghanaian and Japanese organisations have been working on opportunities for joint space technology projects and capacity development. Environmental applications are another priority, with plans to combine satellite imagery, drones, ground observations, geospatial systems, and artificial intelligence to monitor environmental challenges.
The first phase of the agency's development will focus on stakeholder engagement, advancing the legislative process, identifying infrastructure and capacity requirements, and strengthening international partnerships. The government has submitted drafting instructions to the Attorney-General's Department as it moves toward legislation for the new agency. The proposed transformation marks the next stage in Ghana's efforts to build a coordinated national space programme, with the government positioning space science and Earth observation as tools for economic development, environmental management, national security, and technological innovation.
Key points
- The proposed National Space Agency will provide a stronger institutional framework for coordinating Ghana's space activities and developing national space programmes.
- The agency will focus on the practical use of satellite and geospatial technologies across various sectors, including agriculture, environmental monitoring, and national security.
- Ghana aims to position itself as a regional hub for Earth observation and expand investment in skills covering aerospace and satellite engineering.
