Broadcast Media Africa has learnt that Ghana recently launched its national space policy, marking a significant milestone in its growing space sector. The policy is expected to serve as a framework for utilising space science and harnessing the power of space technology to propel economic growth, enhance national security, and ensure sustainable development. With space technology already being used across various sectors such as agriculture, health, transportation, energy, and security, the policy seeks to strengthen coordination between governmental agencies and the private sector and optimise space-related activities for the country’s development.
The new policy also addresses gaps, such as fragmented efforts to coordinate and access space data from multiple entities. It will ensure that space technology usage is well-coordinated, standardised, regulated, and sustainably managed.
Dr Joseph Bremang Tandoh, Director of the Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute (GSSTI), emphasised that the policy would allow Ghana to use its growing space capabilities for meaningful applications that support economic growth and job creation while positioning the nation as a contributor to the African space ecosystem.
The Ghana Space Policy aligns with the country’s broader national development objectives, particularly within the Coordinated Programmes for Social and Economic Policies (2017-2024). It focuses on integrating space science and technology (SST) into critical areas such as resource management, climate monitoring, agricultural development, and infrastructure planning. This would support the nation’s pursuit of sustainable economic, social, and environmental development.
One of the policy’s central goals is to improve Ghana’s ability to manage the biophysical environment effectively. By coordinating and promoting space-based technologies across different sectors, the policy aims to enhance the country’s capacity to address challenges like climate change, food security, and resource management. Further, it seeks to position Ghana as an active player in the global space community by fostering international cooperation, knowledge exchange, and infrastructure investments in space technology. Ghana’s participation in space science research and technological advancements is expected to open new avenues for investment, including through public-private partnerships (PPPs).
Beyond its application in various sectors, the Ghana Space Policy envisions the creation of sustainable revenue streams and job opportunities across the space industry. These opportunities will span multiple thematic areas, including satellite communications (satcom), Earth observation (EO), global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), astronomy, and space component manufacturing.
