Ghana has begun discussions with Russia’s state-owned nuclear energy corporation Rosatom on plans to establish the country’s first nuclear power station, President John Dramani Mahama announced.

Mahama made the announcement on Thursday while addressing the Third Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow, where he highlighted the need for reliable and affordable electricity to support industrialisation across the continent, Ghana News Agency reports.

The Ghanaian president identified inadequate electricity supply as one of the major obstacles to Africa’s development, saying nuclear energy could help address the continent’s growing power needs.

“We have initiated discussions with Rosatom on the establishment of Ghana’s first nuclear power station,” Mahama said.

Diversifying energy

He said Ghana was pursuing a diversified energy strategy that combines renewable energy with preparations for the peaceful use of nuclear power.

The announcement builds on a longstanding nuclear energy relationship between Ghana and Russia, dating back to 1964, when the Soviet Union supplied Ghana with a two-megawatt nuclear reactor for scientific research.

Mahama said several Ghanaian nuclear scientists had also received training in Russia to operate the reactor.

Ghana has been exploring nuclear power as part of efforts to diversify its electricity sources and meet rising demand driven by population growth and industrial expansion.

A nuclear power station would provide a source of baseload electricity to complement the country's existing hydropower and thermal generation capacity.

The discussions with Rosatom mark a new step in Ghana's efforts to introduce nuclear energy into its power mix, although no final agreement or construction timeline was announced.

The proposed cooperation also reflects broader efforts to strengthen energy partnerships between Russia and African countries, particularly in nuclear technology and renewable energy.