A three day capacity building workshop for journalists is underway in Accra with a call on media practitioners to increase public awareness on Ghana’s Nuclear Power project initiative.
Executive Director of the Nuclear Power Ghana (NPG), Dr Stephen Yamoah, who made the call says the crucial role of the media in demystifying the negative perceptions about nuclear power cannot be overemphasized as it provides a platform for public education.
According to him, through the media, public trust and support for the project has increased significantly. He urged the need for improve collaboration with the media to help achieve Ghana’s nuclear power ambition.
Dr Stephen Yamoah said these in a welcome address at the opening of a three day workshop for media practitioners on the progress made so far on the country’s nuclear power project and the role of the media.
He disclosed that the progress made so far include the identification of a strategic partner and vendor among other ground developments.
Dr Yamoah indicated that a preliminary expression of interest framework agreement has been signed by NPG with China Nuclear Corporation Overseas (CNOS) for the project.
The Executive Director stated that, Ghana has made a proposal of Built Operate and Transfer (BOT) of the nuclear power including other infrastructure development for the consideration of the potential investors since financing is a major challenge.
Additionally, the country he said through the Ghana Atomic Energy Agency (GAEC) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the United States of America for the establishment of Regional Welding Certification centre and the Loose Scale Exploration Centre to train the country’s future engineers and position it as an integrated nuclear hub for the sub-region.
Dr Yamoah emphasised that a formal contract will be signed for the actual construction of the Nuclear power plants where possible once ongoing conversations are concluded positively.
President of the Ghana Journalist Association, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour in a solidarity message expressed a heartfelt support to Ghana’s nuclear power project and stated that training comes at a time the country is going through power challenges.
He noted that nuclear power as a clean energy will contribute significantly to the fight against climate change.
He said it is time for the media to change the narrative by offering their platforms to educate the public about the positives of nuclear power and help diffuse the myths associated it saying’nuclear power offers a clean, efficient and scalable energy’.
Mr Dwumfour called for collaborative work with the media to de-politicise Ghana’s nuclear power project through a sustain campaign.
On his part, General Manager of the Ghana News Agency (GNA) Albert Kofi Owusu emphasized the need for continuous training of journalists to engender accurate reportage on national issues as they are architects of development.
He noted despite the efforts, some citizens are still skeptical about the feasibility of the nuclear power project.
He charged journalists to ask critical questions about Ghana’s readiness for industrialization in the wake of energy transition and availability of power.
Mr Owusu encouraged the media to educate themselves to help shape public discourse on Ghana’s nuclear power trajectory.
Executive Secreaty of the Private Newspapers and Online News Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG), Jeorge Wilson Kingson was optimistic the training will enhance the knowledge of journalists, especially members of his Association to better inform the public.
He assured of the commitment of his outfit to work in collaboration with like-minded organisations for the development of the country.
Selected Journalists from the Ghana Journalists Association, Ghana News Agency, PRINPAG and the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) are participating in the 3-day workshop which is on the theme: “Media Support for Ghana’s Nuclear Power Project – The Journey So Far.”
By Christian Kpesese