Accra: The Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) has called for increased investment in Africa's nuclear workforce to support the safe and sustainable development of nuclear energy. Prof. Abdulai Baba Salifu, Chairman of the Governing Board of GAEC, emphasized the critical need for skilled personnel to achieve the continent's nuclear energy goals during the third US-Africa Nuclear Energy Summit (USANES 2026) in Accra. The summit was themed 'Building and Sustaining Africa's Nuclear Workforce.'
According to Ghana News Agency, Prof. Salifu highlighted the importance of scientists, engineers, technicians, operators, regulators, and other professionals in the nuclear energy value chain. He stressed the need for African countries to focus on developing these essential human resources. He also advocated for strengthened regional cooperation to facilitate access to training infrastructure, research facilities, specialized expertise, and regulatory experience.
Prof. Salifu mentioned Ghana's efforts to become a regional hub for nuclear workforce development, including the establishment of Africa's first Regional Energy Training Centre in 2023, in partnership with the United States Department of Energy. He noted Ghana's advancements in its nuclear power programme and the establishment of key institutions such as the Nuclear Regulatory Authority and Nuclear Power Ghana.
Dr. Michael Goff, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary at the US Department of Energy's Office of Nuclear Energy, expressed the United States' readiness to partner with African countries pursuing nuclear power. He highlighted opportunities for collaboration through technology transfer, technical expertise, and institutional capacity-building. Dr. Goff also pointed out advances in reactor technology and streamlined licensing processes that could enable African countries to adopt nuclear energy more efficiently.
The summit, which spans three days, gathers representatives from governments, industry, academia, regulators, and development partners to discuss workforce development, institutional capacity, financing, and partnerships for safe, secure, and sustainable nuclear energy programmes in Africa.