The Chairman of the Governing Board of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), Professor Abdulai Baba Salifu, says nearly 600 million Africans still lack access to electricity.
Speaking at the US-Africa Nuclear Energy Summit in Accra, Prof. Salifu said unreliable electricity supply and frequent power outages continue to affect businesses, education and the quality of life across the continent.
He said Africa must explore new energy technologies, including nuclear power, to meet its rapidly growing electricity needs.
“For far too long, Africa has been a continent of paradoxes. We possess some of the world’s richest natural resources, yet we remain the most energy poor on earth. Nearly 600 million of our brothers and sisters still lack access to electricity.”
He noted that even among those with access to electricity, unreliable supply and frequent blackouts continue to create significant challenges.
“Those who have access often face unreliable supply, blackouts that cripple businesses, disrupt education, and, of course, undermine the quality of life.”
Prof. Salifu urged African countries not to allow the continent’s energy challenges to define its future, but instead to focus on innovation and the deployment of emerging technologies.
He identified nuclear energy as one of the technologies that could help address Africa’s growing power requirements.
“We in Africa should not continue to be defined by these challenges. Indeed, we must be defined by our resolve, especially in the wake of enormous potential for deploying new technologies such as nuclear power.”
He further noted that Africa’s electricity demand is expected to increase significantly, with power demand projected to rise by 47% by 2030.
He said the projected increase underscores the urgent need for African countries to invest in reliable and sustainable energy infrastructure to support economic development and improve living standards.
Source: citinews
