By Franklin Asare-Donkoh
The Government of Ghana has announced an ambitious plan to construct a 1,000-megawatt nuclear power plant to secure the nation’s energy future and drive industrialisation.
Speaking at the 2026 Africa Energy Technology Conference (AETC) in Accra, Mr Debrah revealed that the project is a cornerstone of President John Dramani Mahama’s administration’s strategy to provide affordable, reliable and clean electricity.
He emphasised that as Ghana’s economy expands, the current energy mix must evolve to include nuclear power to meet the growing demands of the manufacturing and mining sectors.
According to Mr Debrah, the government has already initiated advanced discussions with international partners and regulatory bodies to ensure the project adheres to the highest global safety standards.
“The Government of Ghana is in the process of signing a bilateral agreement for the construction of a 1,000MW nuclear plant, and is also engaging local and international partners to construct small modular reactors to boost the transformational agenda,” the Chief of Staff said.
He noted that the transition to nuclear energy is not just about power generation but also about meeting Ghana’s climate commitments by reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The Chief of Staff further explained that the 1,000MW plant will serve as a baseload power source, providing the stability needed to prevent future power fluctuations.
He called on stakeholders and the private sector to support the initiative, describing it as a “generational investment” that will create thousands of technical jobs and position Ghana as an energy hub for the West African sub-region.
Technical assessments for site selection are reportedly in their final stages, with the government expected to announce a formal roadmap for the construction phase in the coming months.
The 2026 AETC was officially opened at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra, marking a milestone in the continent’s quest for energy sovereignty.
The three-day summit, which brought together over 1,500 industry leaders, policymakers and innovators from more than 30 countries, serves as a critical junction for “deal room” sessions, where project developers will meet directly with global financiers to unlock capital for subsea exploration, green hydrogen and regional power pools.
