Dr. Achibold, emphasizes the critical need for government-led development of nuclear infrastructure, citing the essential role of industry in national progress.
Dr. Achibold, highlighted the importance of our government’s task to develop nuclear infrastructure. He emphasized that the industry is crucial for this development and pointed out that Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire together produce about 80% of global cocoa. However, the revenue generated from cocoa is less than 1% of the global revenue, indicating a lack of value addition. Dr. Achibold stressed the need for industrialization and pointed out that energy, particularly affordable and reliable energy supply, is a consistent concern according to AGI Afrobarometer data over the past several years.
Dr. Achibold noted that many industrialized countries have accessible and affordable energy sources. While nuclear energy is not the only source, it is being considered due to its environmental benefits. He discussed the global trend, highlighting how different regions rely on various energy sources based on their accessibility to raw materials. Dr. Achibold made a case for utilizing available resources such as coal if they are crucial for industrial growth.
He emphasized that as a nation, we need to make informed decisions and push the government to implement policies that will benefit our industries. Reflecting on history, he mentioned how Ghana had loaned money to South Korea around the same time both countries gained independence. He urged the audience to study South Korea’s economic growth after the introduction of nuclear energy, indicating it as an example of how local industries can benefit from targeted policies for industrial development.
