Ghana ‘s Nuclear Journey - International Atomic … ‘s Nuclear Journey By ... Stakeholders’ Group Questionnaires Types of Questionnaire ... concerning the energy crisis;

Ghana ‘s Nuclear Journey

By Innocent J. K. ABOH

& Sheila V. GBORMITTAH Ghana Atomic Energy Commission,

Kwabenya

Technical Meeting on Tools and Techniques for Effective Nuclear Communication, 15-17 June 2015, Olkiluoto, Finland

History of Nuclear Power in Ghana

• 1958 Ghana joined IAEA;

• 1961 Ghana Reactor Committee formed;

• 1963 Ghana Atomic Energy Commission formed;

• 1966 Atomic Energy Project abandoned;

• 2008 Energy part of project reactivated;

Wednesday, June 17, 2015 Ghana's Nuclear Journey 2

The Current Energy Situation

Current Electricity Situation

Hydro (Akosombo/Kpong) - 1180 MW

Thermal - 1731.5 MW

Total Installed Capacity - 2911.5 MW

Ghana is currently experiencing the ‘worst’ energy crisis in 2015. Prior to this, load-shedding in 1982, 1997, 2002, 2006 , 2007, 2012-? has had adverse impacts on the economy.


Status of The Nuclear Power Project

• Activities embarked on – Relevant international conventions have been signed and

ratified by Government of Ghana. – Working groups have been formed;

• Ongoing Activities – Ongoing key international cooperation and local

stakeholder engagements – Public Awareness Activities – Public Opinion Survey – Passing of the Nuclear Regulatory Bill


Previous Public Awareness Activities


Public Opinion Survey

•Polls provide information about how well an issue ‘sits’ with the public.

•Polls do have an impact on the outcome of expectations;

•Polls could be carried out by an organisation or an institution could be contracted to do it;


The Ghanaian Opinion Environment

• As far as nuclear issues are concerned in Ghana, there is less comprehension of what is at stake.

• The first survey was a targeted survey among scientists and engineers in 1999 had about 78% approval and 5% undecided

• A new survey was carried out in April 2015 but the results are not yet out.


Stakeholders’ Group Questionnaires

Types of Questionnaire

•General public •Industry •Reasons

•The two parties might have different views concerning the energy crisis;

•General Public •Targets perceptions; to ascertain the knowledge of the affordability and availability of the nuclear programme for electricity generation.

•Industry •Targets perceptions to ascertain industry’s commitment to go nuclear;


Stakeholders

Industry • Association of Ghanaian

Industries (light and heavy industrial areas)

General public

• Homes • Academia

• Artisans eg. Welders, hairdressers, etc


Challenges

•Sampling issues:

•Lack of trained and locally socialised indigenous researchers;

•Journalists are not well trained in reporting opinion polling results;

•Some opinion polling consultants are seen as partisan (aligned with some political party).


Conclusions

• In spite of the energy crisis

– There has been some public awareness creation amongst the media, professional and student bodies and the general public

– Message well received and the interactions have been very positive;

– Awaiting opinion polling results;

– Are these sustainable?


Thank you for your attention

[email protected]; [email protected]


Documents

Ghana ‘s Nuclear Journey - International Atomic … ‘s Nuclear Journey By ... Stakeholders’ Group Questionnaires Types of Questionnaire ... concerning the energy crisis;