Ghana has taken an important step on the road to achieving nuclear power, passing the Ghana Nuclear Regulatory Bill
The bill, which is currently awaiting presidential assent before being officially signed into law, details the establishment of a regulatory authority to ensure the safe and responsible use of nuclear materials.
A number of relevant international conventions were also ratified by the legislation, including the Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident, the Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency and the Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage.
The government also revealed plans to purchase Russian-designed power units of between 1000 and 1,200 MW for a proposed nuclear plant.
Speaking in Accra this week, Environment Minister Mahama Ayariga confirmed that a Memorandum of Agreement committing Ghana to the sale had been signed with the State Atomic Energy Corporation of the Federation of Russia (ROSATOM), which also included staff training and nuclear infrastructure establishment.
To ensure the safe disposal of nuclear waste generated in the country, the minister added that a draft set of Radioactive Waste Management Regulations and a Radioactive Waste Management Policy and Strategy had also been developed.
