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As Ghana prepares to host the maiden Ghana Space Conference 2025 in Accra this October, one might ask themselves, why ought to a growing nation like Ghana make investments time, power, and sources into space science and technology?
The reply lies not in rockets or distant planets, however proper right here in Ghana, within the wants of our farmers, coastal communities, policymakers, and younger innovators.
Space Technology, Everyday Solutions
For too lengthy, space has been seen as a distant frontier for many international locations within the Global South, extra so in Africa. In actuality nevertheless, space technology already shapes our day by day lives. From the satellite tv for pc information which presenters use to report on climate info, to that very same information serving to over 14 million farmers in Ghana resolve when to plant and coastal communities when to be cautious of storms. Space-based options are embedded in our economic system and effectively-being.
Ghana isn’t any stranger to this progress. Our scientists and engineers launched GhanaSat-1, sub-Saharan Africa’s first instructional satellite tv for pc, in 2017 perpetuating the pioneering custom Ghana is understood for since main sub-Saharan African nations to realize independence from colonialism. Since GhanaSat-1, Egypt, South Africa, Nigeria, Algeria, Morocco, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Angola, Kenya, and Mauritius have launched satellites into orbit.
At Kuntunse, our 32-metre radio telescope now contributes to the world’s largest astronomy undertaking, the Square Kilometre Array, whose contribution to the economic system of the nation continues to be felt in technological and engineering developments in areas like information processing and computing, gives substantial instructional and capability constructing and thus stimulating financial growth and native employment.
Institutions just like the University of Ghana, the Ghana Meteorological Agency, and All Nations University proceed to use space science in local weather monitoring, marine analysis, and catastrophe preparedness.
Driving Inclusive Growth
As the world faces local weather change, which is hitting sub–Saharan Africa onerous and compromising our meals safety within the midst of the issues caused by rising urbanisation, space applied sciences supply scalable and environment friendly instruments.
For instance, Earth Observation helps us to observe deforestation as a result of ‘Galamsey’. Illegal gold mining causes deforestation and produces mercury air pollution within the surroundings and waters. Tracking these modifications can help stakeholders to take motion and doc the precise scale of devastation. Remote sensing technology has additionally turn into great tool in offering information for precision agriculture.
Farmers are in a position to get well timed and correct information about soil high quality and rainfall, serving to them to take knowledgeable choices and submit productiveness. Satellite communication then again has caused elevated web entry to rural communities, unlocking alternatives for on-line training and entrepreneurship.
This is not only about science; it’s about inclusive growth. The Ghana Space Conference set for October 6-8 will spotlight the significance of partaking youth and girls in Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and space fields, making certain that the advantages of innovation attain everybody in Ghana and past.
Linking to Policy and Africa’s Growth
The timing of this convention is strategic. Ghana lately launched its National Space Policy (2024), setting a transparent imaginative and prescient for regulation, capability constructing, personal sector engagement, and worldwide partnerships. The Policy goals to harness space technology for financial development, nationwide safety, and sustainable growth by bettering useful resource administration and coordinating private and non-private sector efforts.
Key targets embrace higher environmental monitoring, fostering worldwide cooperation, and creating funding and job alternatives in satellite tv for pc communications, Earth commentary, and different space sectors.
With the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) headquartered in Accra, Ghana has a novel alternative to discover how space applied sciences can help commerce effectivity, cross-border collaboration, and industrial development.
Space is not a luxurious – it’s an financial and developmental necessity.
A Call to Action
The Ghana Space Conference 2025 on the University of Ghana, Accra from October 6-8, 2025, will convey collectively authorities leaders, scientists, entrepreneurs, and worldwide specialists to deliberate on these alternatives.
This is not only Ghana’s occasion; it’s Africa’s second to proceed demonstrating that the continent is able to harness the space economic system, projected to achieve $22.64 billion by 2026.
Policymakers, personal sector leaders, teachers, college students, and the media will all have space on the convention. Together, allow us to form a future the place space technology empowers each Ghanaian, each African, to stay in a safer, extra affluent, and extra sustainable world.
By Kwaku Sumah, Managing Director, Spacehubs Africa