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The Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute (GSSTI) has reaffirmed the nation’s rising management in Africa’s space development efforts, highlighting the nation’s progress because the launch of its first satellite tv for pc, GhanaSat-1, in 2017 and the launch of the Ghana Space Policy in 2024.
In a keynote handle delivered in the course of the ongoing Ghana Space Conference going down on the University of Ghana in Accra, officers from the GSSTI underscored the nation’s dedication to harnessing space science and expertise for socio-financial transformation. The GSSTI is spearheading efforts to coordinate cross-sectoral collaboration, construct native capacity, and create a thriving marketplace for space-based functions.
“The establishment of the Ghana Space Agency will ensure national coordination and efficient resource use across sectors such as the environment, communications, and education. Our goal is to strengthen Ghana’s human resource and technological base to leverage space technology for the benefits of the ordinary Ghanaian,” stated Dr. Joseph Tandoh, Director of the Ghana Space Science Institute.
On her half, the Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse, emphasised the necessity for Ghana to deepen its dedication to space science functions, notably in the agriculture and mining sectors – two key pillars of the nationwide economic system more and more affected by local weather variability, land degradation, and unsustainable useful resource extraction.
Prof. Klutse famous that the combination of satellite tv for pc knowledge, distant sensing, and geospatial applied sciences holds immense potential to enhance environmental monitoring, precision agriculture, and sustainable mineral exploration. She additional underscored that the worldwide space economic system, at the moment valued at round $600 billion, is projected to exceed $1.3 trillion throughout the subsequent decade – a trajectory that presents each financial and strategic alternatives for Ghana.
She urged the nation to take a position in native capacity development in space expertise manufacturing, knowledge analytics, and innovation-led analysis, stressing that it will allow Ghana to harness rising alternatives throughout the international space ecosystem.
Prof. Klutse’s remarks firmly place the EPA as a champion of cross-sectoral collaboration, calling on academia, authorities, and personal trade to work collectively in leveraging space science as a catalyst for sustainable environmental administration and resilient nationwide development.
Professor Melvin Hoare of the University of Leeds, in his presentation, emphasised that astronomy and space science are key to inspiring youth in STEM and driving innovation in knowledge science, distant sensing, and associated industries. He famous that the conversion of a 32-metre telecom dish right into a practical radio telescope has not solely superior analysis but in addition supplied excessive-stage technical coaching for Ghanaians.
Human Capital Development
According to Prof Hoare, Ghana continues to learn from worldwide partnerships that construct technical experience and analysis capacity.
He stated the good points embrace the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) HCD Program, providing coaching in engineering and scientific abilities, the Development in Africa with Radio Astronomy (DARA) Project, funded by the UK authorities, which has educated many younger Ghanaians and theBig Data Project, specializing in knowledge analytics for functions akin to distant sensing and medical imaging.
These initiatives are strengthening Ghana’s human capital base and creating pathways for entrepreneurship and job creation in the space economic system.
Strategic Milestones and Ongoing Initiatives
Ghana’s achievements in space development embrace the 2022 approval of the Ghana Space Policy, laying the muse for institutional coordination and governance of the sector, the launch of GhanaSat-1 in 2017, a milestone marking Ghana’s entry into the worldwide space neighborhood and lively participation in the Square Kilometer Array (SKA) mission, a world collaboration involving eight African international locations to construct one of many world’s largest radio telescope networks.
Dr Tandoh outlined the gadgets to speed up nationwide progress in space science and expertise citing the finalisation of the draft Ghana Space Bill for presentation to Parliament by the tip of the 12 months, continued capacity constructing in radio astronomy and space-related disciplines by means of coaching and partnerships and leveraging synergies between radio astronomy, knowledge science, and functions akin to distant sensing and medical imaging.
Further, Dr Tandoh stated the Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute intends to develop astronomy training and analysis at Ghanaian universities, together with the University of Cape Coast (UCC) and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and promote gender equality and variety, focusing on equal participation of ladies and men in space and astronomy packages.
“Our vision is to develop space sector hubs that stimulate economic growth while ensuring gender equity and equal opportunities for all trained professionals,” Dr Tandoh added.
The Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute’s initiatives align with the broader African Union agenda to construct indigenous space capabilities and strengthen Africa’s function in the worldwide space economic system.