Accra: Ghana has launched a comprehensive policy for the utilisation of space science technology to drive national development. The Ghana Space Policy is set to pave the way for the establishment of the Ghana Space Agency, which will coordinate the development of human capital, infrastructure, and the overall growth of the space science sector. Mrs. Ophelia Hayford, Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI), officially launched the Policy at a ceremony in Accra. According to Ghana News Agency, the Cabinet approved the Ghana Space Policy in March 2022. Ghana has been employing space technologies in critical areas such as environmental monitoring, security, precision agriculture, navigation, weather forecasting, disaster management, and telecommunications. Mrs. Hayford stated that the Policy would ensure that the deployment and usage of space technology are coordinated, regulated, standardised, and sustainably managed. She emphasised the Ministry's collaboration with relevant ministri es and the private sector to ensure successful implementation. The Minister urged stakeholders to leverage the policy to promote sustainable practices, drive technological advancement, foster international cooperation, and contribute significantly to the growth of space science in Ghana and across Africa. Ghana's involvement in space technology dates back to 2011 when it signed the African Square Kilometre Array (SKA) partnership agreement with South Africa and seven other African countries to develop the world's largest radio telescope network. Dr. Joseph Bremang Tandoh, Director of the Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute, highlighted the necessity of investments in Ghana's space programme to support agriculture, infrastructure, and economic growth. He mentioned that space technology could help manage resources, track agricultural health, and mitigate climate change. Dr. Tandoh pointed out that the policy aims to create opportunities for economic growth, job creation, and technological advancement , marking Ghana's active participation in the space race. Dr. Kofi Asare, Manager of the Remote Sensing and Climate Sector, noted that space technology could effectively manage the country's land and water resources, reducing potential destruction. He elaborated on the benefits of satellite technology in agriculture, including monitoring crop health, soil conditions, weather patterns, and crop yield prediction and estimation. Professor Elvis Asare-Bediako, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), expressed the University's readiness to contribute to the initiative by developing undergraduate and postgraduate programmes to train students in space technology. He affirmed the University's commitment to partnering with the Government to advance the exploration of space technology to new heights.
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