Ghana’s ambition to establish a robust space sector has evolved from policy initiatives to practical deployment, driven by a recent Africa Space Expo. The event showcased applications across food security, climate resilience, territorial monitoring, connectivity, and maritime security, fostering collaboration among startups, labs, and investors. President Kwame Nkrumah’s initial nuclear reactor project, established in 1961, remains the foundational institution of Ghana’s space program, now operating as the Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute (GSSTI). The expo highlighted the crucial transition from technology adoption to building space capabilities – a challenge Ghana is actively addressing. Ghana’s early focus on radio astronomy, starting with a Kuntunse antenna and a satellite partnership with South Africa, demonstrates a commitment to this shift. Currently, the GSSTI is underway with a project to improve satellite data estimates, a key step towards developing its own capabilities. The government’s 2022 approval of a National Space Policy and the subsequent establishment of a Ghana Space Agency in 2025 signify a deliberate strategic move. Victor Tagborloh, director of the GSSTI, emphasizes this transition as a pivotal moment, highlighting the need for investment and infrastructure to support the country’s space industry growth. The Expo’s emphasis on the African Space Agency further underscores Ghana’s ambition to establish a continental framework for cooperation and satellite technology development. However, significant challenges remain, including limited investment, infrastructure gaps, and a lack of domestic manufacturing capacity, posing a considerable hurdle to realizing the full potential of Ghana’s space ambitions. The event underscores a complex interplay of policy, partnerships, and resource allocation crucial for the nation’s trajectory in space.”} ,
Source: Al Jazeera
