Accra, Oct. 1, GNA – Dr. Stephen Yamoah, Executive Director of Nuclear Power Ghana (NPG), has underscored the vital role of the media in shaping public understanding and sustaining Ghana’s nuclear power agenda.
He commended the Ghana News Agency (GNA) for its dedication in providing accurate and consistent reporting on the programme.
He said the Agency’s contributions had been instrumental in building public trust and securing the social licence needed for the nuclear project, while helping to dispel myths and misperceptions surrounding nuclear energy.
Addressing a group of journalists at a two-day media engagement in Accra, Dr. Yamoah highlighted the broader vision of Ghana’s nuclear power programme, stressing that it was not simply about adding megawatts to the national grid but about catalysing industrial growth, creating jobs, and transforming the economy.
“Our nuclear programme is not just about electricity,” he said.
“It is a bigger agenda, a catalyst and a springboard for industrialisation. The objective is not merely to create a market for electricity sales, but to ensure deep involvement of local industries, knowledge transfer, and competence-building for national development.”
Dr. Yamoah emphasised that the programme was designed with clear objectives and values, warning that without a firm focus on these, Ghana risked losing direction.
He said sustainability must remain at the heart of every development agenda, including nuclear power.
Citing examples from countries like Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Romania, Dr. Yamoah noted that Ghana could also become a model for nuclear development in Africa if it pursued a structured, inclusive, and transparent approach.
He called on journalists and media institutions to continue promoting accurate narratives about the nuclear programme, saying Ghana’s development would be driven by Ghanaians themselves, with international partnerships playing a supportive role.
Mr Albert Kofi Owusu, the General Manager of GNA, applauded NPG and its partners for organising consistent training sessions since the signing of a media engagement agreement about four years ago.
“This kind of programme is very good to educate us as journalists,” he said.
“When the public space begins to raise concerns, you are better able to address them and push back, and to help the country because we must think about the country.”
He said that nuclear energy, while often misunderstood, was a reliable and clean source of power that could complement Ghana’s energy mix and support economic growth.
Mr Owusu noted that the success of such a programme depended heavily on public awareness, understanding, and acceptance.
“The media holds immense power in shaping public perception, informing communities and influencing policy,” he said.
“In the context of nuclear energy and development, this role becomes even more crucial. We have the responsibility to provide balanced, accurate and accessible information that demystifies nuclear energy while addressing concerns transparently.”
Drawing on personal observations from China, he cited the rapid adoption of electric vehicles and clean technologies as an example of how public awareness and policy can transform a nation’s energy landscape.
He urged journalists to play a similar role by connecting citizens to institutions and translating policies into plain language.
“We create spaces where dialogue can flourish across ethnic, political and diverse divides,” he said. “We connect local realities to global lessons. This is what makes the media a true bridge in building sustainable communities.”
He reaffirmed the media’s commitment to partnering with NPG and other stakeholders to ensure that Ghanaians receive credible, timely and factual information about the country’s nuclear agenda, which is expected to accelerate industrialisation, create jobs, and transform the economy.
GNA
