Ghana is moving ahead with plans to establish a fully-fledged national space agency as the government seeks to strengthen coordination of the country’s space activities and expand its participation in the global space economy.
The government has received Cabinet approval to transform the Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute (GSSTI) into the proposed Ghana Space Agency.
Environment, Science and Technology Minister Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings said work is now underway on the legislation and institutional framework required to establish the agency.
The proposed agency will provide a central framework for coordinating Ghana’s space programs, supporting research and innovation, developing space infrastructure, encouraging public-private partnerships and strengthening international cooperation.
The move is also aligned with Ghana’s national Space Policy, which identifies the creation of a statutory space agency as a key element of the country’s space strategy.
A major focus will be the practical use of satellite and geospatial technologies across sectors including agriculture, environmental monitoring, disaster management, telecommunications, mining, logistics, insurance and national security.
The government also plans to expand investment in skills covering aerospace and satellite engineering, remote sensing, geospatial science, artificial intelligence, robotics and data science.
A central agency is expected to address the fragmentation of space-related activities across government institutions.
GSSTI Director Dr Joseph Bremang Tandoh said different ministries currently undertake activities requiring satellite data independently, making coordination and resource use more difficult.
A national agency could coordinate the acquisition and processing of satellite imagery and make the resulting information available to government institutions.
Ghana also wants to develop greater national capability in satellite technology. Tandoh said the country currently has no satellite in orbit and relies on third parties for satellite imagery when required.
He noted that stronger domestic capabilities could provide more timely information for areas such as border surveillance, agriculture, flood forecasting and environmental monitoring.
The government’s space ambitions are built on an existing policy framework. Ghana’s Space Policy calls for a coordinated national space program, development of space infrastructure and human resources, research and development, commercialisation of space applications, international cooperation and an appropriate legal and regulatory framework for industry participation.
The government is also seeking to expand international partnerships as it develops its space capabilities.
In September, Ghana and Japan explored deeper cooperation in space science, technology and innovation, while Ghanaian and Japanese organisations have been working on opportunities for joint space technology projects and capacity development.
Environmental applications are another priority. Ghana plans to combine satellite imagery, drones, ground observations, geospatial systems and artificial intelligence to monitor deforestation, illegal mining, land degradation, water bodies, coastal erosion, drought and other environmental challenges.
The first phase of the agency’s development will focus on stakeholder engagement, advancing the legislative process, identifying infrastructure and capacity requirements and strengthening international partnerships.
Drafting instructions have been submitted to Ghana’s Attorney-General’s Department as the government moves towards legislation for the new agency.
The proposed transformation marks the next stage in Ghana’s efforts to build a coordinated national space program, with the government positioning space science and Earth observation as tools for economic development, environmental management, national security and technological innovation.
(Satelite Prome)
