African CSOs Campaign Against Ghana’s Nuclear Energy Project
African Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) from South Africa, Zambia, Ghana, Kenya, and Russia have kicked against plans by the Government of Ghana to set up a nuclear energy plant to add to the country’s energy mix and help address the energy needs of the country.
The campaign against the construction of a nuclear power plant, according to the CSOs, is due to the enormous risks and consequences associated with the operation of a nuclear power plant.
The CSOs comprising – 360 Human Rights, SYND Ghana, Centre for Justice, Governance and Environmental Action, Earthlife Africa, SAFCEI, The Young African Activist Network, and the Russian Environmental Group Ecodefense – argue that Africa does not need nuclear energy as it is neither safe, affordable, nor climate-smart.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, January 23, 2025, Executive Director of 360 Human Rights Organisation, Alberta Kpeleku, quipped, “We are here to shed light on the often-overlooked consequences of nuclear energy, especially with reference to nuclear waste. From environmental disasters to health risks and economic concerns, it’s time to reevaluate our reliance on nuclear power. The impacts on the environment include nuclear accidents, radioactive waste, and contamination. Health risks include cancer, genetic damage, kidney disease, and other related conditions caused by radiation exposure. Additionally, there are security threats, such as nuclear proliferation, terrorism, and cybersecurity risks.”
“The gravamen of our case is that the devastating effects of nuclear accidents do not affect the present generation alone but also generations yet unborn. Alternatives and solutions for nuclear energy include renewable energy sources—solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal— which should be prioritized. Energy efficiency and conservation measures should be implemented, along with nuclear phase-out and decommissioning plans. There should be a call to action involving demands for policy changes, support for renewable energy investment and research, and finally, the intensification of public awareness and education campaigns,” she commented further.
“Our meeting here in Accra has reinforced the lessons from activists across Africa and Europe that nuclear energy is not needed or wanted as an energy source in Africa. When we compare nuclear to other energy choices on the table in the 21st century, in terms of all meaningful factors—cost, safety, construction time, and waste—there is no rationale for nuclear,” added the Executive Director of the Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI), Francesca de Gasparis.
Executive Director of Strategic Youth Network For Development, Chibeze Ezekiel, commenting on the nuclear power project, intimated that SYND Ghana stands in solidarity with CSO’s position against the use of nuclear energy in Ghana.
“We strongly advocate for prioritizing the exploration and use of the vast renewable energy (RE) resources available to the country. We believe nuclear energy comes with significant challenges, particularly in waste management, an area where Ghana is already struggling. The potential environmental and health risks associated with nuclear waste demand a level of preparedness that Ghana currently lacks.
“Additionally, the value chain required to fully harness nuclear energy is not adequately developed in Ghana. This raises further concerns about the country’s capacity to manage and benefit from such a complex technology. We align with SAFCEI’s perspective that nuclear energy is a technology of the past. Ghana’s focus should be on tapping into the abundant and safer potential of renewable energy, which offers a sustainable path for addressing the country’s energy needs while safeguarding our environment and future,” he posited.
Also commenting on the need for the Government to abandon its nuclear energy plant construction, was Vladimir Slivyak, Co-Chair, Russian Environmental Group Ecodefense, and Laureate of the Alternative Nobel Prize who stated that, “Nuclear power is expensive, slow, and dangerous. It is vulnerable to both climate change and war. The growing effects of climate change, such as floods, hurricanes, droughts, heatwaves, or storms, pose great risks to nuclear safety. Wars increase the risk of military attacks, as seen at the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant in Ukraine. Nuclear power in today’s unstable world creates additional risks of radiation disasters. It also creates the risk of nuclear proliferation, as every civilian nuclear plant produces materials that can be used to make a nuclear explosive device or dirty bomb. Renewable energy is safe and cheap and must be the first choice in Africa, where its potential is enormous,” he said.
Ghana is steadily advancing its ambitions to integrate nuclear energy into its power generation mix. With a current installed capacity of 5,454 megawatts, the nation aims to add approximately 1,000 megawatts from nuclear sources by 2034, positioning nuclear power as a cornerstone of its long-term energy strategy.
The initiative is being spearheaded by the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), in collaboration with international partners, including the Japan Atomic Industrial Forum (JAIF) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The Ghana Nuclear Programme Infrastructure Development agenda is central to the Government’s efforts, with the nation employing the IAEA’s milestone approach to ensure a robust and methodical implementation process.
The cost of Ghana’s first nuclear power plant is estimated to be between $1.2 billion and $10 billion depending on the size of the plant and the technologies used.
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Information on nuclear waste is misleading. About 90% of Nuclear waste contains useful material including fissile material that can be recycled as fuel for nuclear power reactors.
Even the High level nuclear wastes are initially stored onsite and can be there for the operational life of the plant (about 60years). There are regulations in place such right from the beginning of the nuclear programme the aspect of nuclear waste is taken care of.
Also, “Nuclear Power Plants” are not “nuclear weapons”. The low enriched nuclear fuel is not sufficient to be used as a nuclear bomb and therefore this also is misinforming.
For your information, nuclear power is key to the world’s realisation of meeting its Climate Change goals. Why do you think a Country such as China is advancing with speed on building new Nuclear power plants.
Finally, Nuclear energy is one of the safest sources of electricity generation. Nuclear Power does not emit Greenhouse Gas (GHG) during electricity generation.
The long economic time benefits of Nuclear power cannot be compared with Renewables like Solar and Wind. Solar and Wind are intermittent energy sources and cannot be considered as a base load for sustainable energy production and industrialisation.
The recent campaign by African CSOs against Ghana’s nuclear energy project lacks critical balance and overlooks the transformative potential of nuclear energy for Africa’s energy future. While the CSOs highlight risks such as radioactive waste and security concerns, they fail to acknowledge that countries like South Africa and Russia have safely harnessed nuclear energy, with nuclear contributing 5% and 20% to their energy mixes, respectively, providing reliable, clean power for decades.
Contrary to the claim that nuclear is unsafe, it remains one of the safest energy technologies globally, with rigorous international safety standards comparable to the aviation industry. Its long service life (over 60 years) and the density of nuclear fuel make it highly cost-effective, ensuring energy security for nations. Additionally, nuclear power plants produce minimal greenhouse gas emissions, making them a critical ally in combating climate change and complementing renewable energy sources like solar and wind, which require steady baseload energy to ensure reliability.
The activists fail to mention the negative consequences of Germany’s nuclear phase-out, which has led to increased energy tariffs and a resurgence of coal usage, undermining climate goals. Meanwhile, nations like France and Sweden have achieved affordable, clean, and dependable energy largely through nuclear power, reinforcing its viability.
For Ghana and Africa, embracing nuclear energy is essential for meeting the growing energy demand, enabling industrialization, and reducing over-reliance on polluting fossil fuels. Instead of opposing nuclear energy, I believe the CSOs should focus on advocating for robust safety and regulatory frameworks to maximize its benefits. Africa cannot afford to be left behind in the global nuclear renaissance, as this technology offers a sustainable path to energy independence, economic growth, and environmental preservation.
The argument against nuclear energy for Ghana and Africa largely stems from misconceptions and a lack of proper education on the subject. While some Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) claim nuclear energy is unsafe, expensive, and unnecessary, their stance fails to acknowledge a critical fact: “Africa is facing a massive electricity deficit that renewable energy and fossil fuels alone cannot bridge.”
For the purpose of enlightenment, according to the 2024 World Bank Tracking Energy Report, 685 million people globally lacked access to electricity in 2022, with Sub-Saharan Africa accounting for 571.1 million of them, which is a staggering 83% of the global deficit. In fact, 18 of the 20 countries with the worst energy access gaps are in Africa, including Nigeria (86 million), the Democratic Republic of Congo (78 million), and Ethiopia (55 million). How can we claim to prioritise development when a majority of our people still live in darkness?
Nuclear energy offers a stable, clean, and reliable solution to this crisis. Unlike solar and wind, which are intermittent and dependent on weather conditions, nuclear power provides consistent, high capacity electricity, making it an ideal baseload energy source to support industrialisation and economic growth. The United States, for example, generates 19% of its electricity from nuclear power, amounting to 775 billion kilowatt-hours annually, enough to power over 72 million homes while creating jobs for nearly half a million people and avoiding the emission of millions of tons of carbon dioxide.
The CSOs advocating against nuclear power in Ghana argue that waste management and safety risks are major concerns. However, do they acknowledge that nuclear waste is safely managed worldwide, with strict international regulations ensuring minimal environmental impact? Are they aware that nuclear has one of the lowest mortality rates per terawatt-hour of electricity produced, far safer than coal, oil, and even biomass? Moreover, nuclear plants are designed with multiple safety redundancies, making them resilient even in extreme conditions.
Africa needs a diverse energy mix that includes nuclear to ensure energy security, economic growth, and environmental sustainability. Ghana’s plan to integrate some megawatts of nuclear energy by 2034 is a forward thinking approach, aligning with global best practices and benefiting from international partnerships, including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The real question is: Can Africa afford to ignore a proven, scalable, and clean energy source when millions remain in energy poverty? Instead of outright opposition, CSOs should advocate for education on nuclear energy, ensuring informed decision making based on facts, not fear. Ghana’s future depends on embracing every viable energy source, and nuclear must be part of that equation.
The opposition to nuclear energy in Ghana and Africa at large, claiming it will lead to increasing debt, environmental damage, and energy crises, is not only misleading but also ignores the undeniable benefits and potential of nuclear energy. These claims appear to be crafted to incite fear and sway public opinion against a proven, reliable, and sustainable energy source that Africa desperately needs. It’s puzzling that nuclear energy is deemed unsuitable for Ghana and Africa, yet it’s a proven, reliable, and sustainable energy source for the rest of the world. Why should Africa be denied access to this clean and efficient energy source?
Energy sufficiency is the backbone of industrialization and economic growth in developed nations, and Africa is no exception. With over 600 million people across the continent lacking access to electricity—a statistic that represents one of the lowest rates of electricity access globally—Africa’s energy poverty has stifled industrial and social development. This energy gap is further compounded by a heavy reliance on carbon-emitting fossil fuels, which exacerbate climate change and environmental degradation.
Nuclear energy offers a transformative solution. It provides a reliable, carbon-free baseload energy source that can power industries, support economic growth, and uplift communities. Unlike intermittent renewables like solar and wind, nuclear energy can operate continuously, ensuring a stable energy supply that Africa’s burgeoning industries and growing population desperately require.
Contrary to the claims of high risk, nuclear energy stands among the safest energy technologies available today, with safety standards comparable to, or even surpassing, those of the aviation industry. Decades of technological advancements and rigorous international regulations ensure the safe operation of nuclear facilities. Countries worldwide, including those in Asia and some in Europe, have demonstrated that nuclear power plants can operate for decades without significant incidents when properly managed.
Ghana’s journey in nuclear technology is not new. As far back as 1961, the government of President Kwame Nkrumah initiated the Kwabenya Nuclear Reactor Project, signalling a bold vision for energy independence and innovation. Since then, Ghana has successfully operated a research reactor for decades, training skilled nuclear engineers and building a robust regulatory framework. These efforts highlight the country’s capability to safely adopt and manage nuclear power for peaceful purposes.
The opposition’s narrative around waste management and environmental risks fails to recognize that modern nuclear technology includes advanced solutions for spent fuel and radioactive waste. Furthermore, Ghana has already demonstrated expertise in handling such issues through its safe operation of the Ghana Research Reactor-1 (GHARR-1). This expertise, coupled with international collaborations and oversight make it a step to ensure that Ghana is well-prepared to manage nuclear power plant responsibly.