Ghana’s space policy: the first local jigsaw piece to fit into the global space puzzle

Nana Adjoa Adobea Asante
Afrimore Advisors PURC, Accra; Secretary to National Communications Authority of Ghana
naa.asante@afrimoreadvisors.com

Danielle Karikari-Darko
Afrimore Advisors PURC, Accra
danielle.karikari-darko@afrimoreadvisors.com

Many African countries are increasingly investing in space technology and drafting legislation and policy on space law. Ghana is no exception.

The Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute (GSSTI) first opened in May 2012 as Ghana’s first space science, space exploration, astronomy and technology space agency.[1] Prior to the establishment of the GSSTI a number of institutions, in both the public and private sector, were engaged in space science and technology (SST) for several purposes. In order to streamline these activities, the Ghana Space Policy was unveiled in November 2024.

Rationale of the policy

The policy seeks to harness the advantages of SST to create solutions to the economic, social and environmental problems in Ghana. Seven main points are identified as the rationale for the policy. Firstly, the policy seeks to use SST to manage the biophysical environment. According to the Global Forest Watch report,[2] in 2022 Ghana lost 18,000 hectares of natural forest, equivalent to 78 Mt of CO2 emissions. Ghana was the country with the highest relative increase in primary forest losses among all the tropical countries. SST can aid the country to better monitor its natural resources, including forest resources.

Additionally, a structured SST programme will open doors for international corporations to invest in SST infrastructure, knowledge exchange and human resource development in Ghana.[3] It is projected that with the implementation of this policy Ghana will quickly become a hub for SST in the West Africa sub-region.

Furthermore, the policy aims to ensure that SST is used for the maintenance of peace and security in Ghana and the West African sub-region.[4] It is also anticipated that the policy will lead to increased economic activity and job creation,[5] as well as contribute to the attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDGs 1,2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 13 and 14.[6]

Goals and objectives of the policy

The goal of the policy is to guide the use and development of SST in order to promote national technological advancement towards sustainable development through education, cutting-edge research and commercialisation.[7] 

In order to realise this goal, the outlined objectives aim to promote a well-coordinated and monitored space science and technology programme in Ghana to ensure the effective use of resources, as well as a coherent national space programme with the intention to: develop and maintain the required human resources related to space science and technology; build national space infrastructure for education, research and application-related purposes; to promote space science and technology research and development; promote the commercialisation of space technology, applications and products; promote local and international cooperation; institute the appropriate legal and regulatory framework to promote industrial participation in national space activities; and to promote citizen's science education in regard to SST.   

Policy strategies and an institutional framework[8]

To achieve the objectives of the policy, eight main policies have been set out by the authors of the policy.

This includes the establishment of the Ghana Space Agency, a statutory institution that will sit within the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology and Innovation (MESTI). The agency will be responsible for the promotion, oversight, coordination, regulation, licensing, exploration, and research and development related to the space industry, as a significant backbone to Ghana’s economic prosperity, national security and development.[9]

Another policy strategy concerns space education and the development of human resources.[10] This aims to, among other things, incorporate space science and related subjects into the curricula at various levels of education. Practical training will also be provided through internships and mentorships.

The building of space infrastructure[11] is also a policy strategy outlined for the achievement of the objectives in the policy. This includes the building of a ground station and mission control centre, national space-related science centres, such as planetariums and museums, as well as assembly, integration and test (AIT) facilities.

Other policy strategies include promoting space science research and development; the application and commercialisation of space products; collaboration with relevant local and international organisations; and the promotion of space science outreach, education and awareness in schools and in regard to the public.

Currently, Ghana does not have SST laws that regulate SST activities in order to minimise their effect on the environment. The country is also yet to ratify the five treaties by the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, which are the Outer Space Treaty 1967, the Rescue Agreement 1968, the Liability Convention 1972, the Registration Convention 1975 and the Moon Treaty 1979.

Conclusion

The Ghana Space Policy is a commendable step for Ghana as a country seeking to make strides in space science and technology, particularly as a tool to facilitate its development and overcome environmental and socio-economic challenges.  

This is a laudable first step towards putting into place a robust legal framework to govern SST and to position Ghana within the global context to partake in the global race to maximise the benefits of space!