The 2025 edition, hosted by GAEC last Monday in Accra, on the theme: “Water Resources Management: The role of nuclear science and space technology,"
and chaired by the Director General of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Prof. Paul Bosso, reinforced Ghana’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDG Six (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG nine (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure).

In a speech delivered on his behalf, the Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, emphasised the critical role science had played in national development, including addressing the country’s water challenges.

The speech, which was delivered by a director of the ministry, Kwamena Quaison, in an era when pollution, climate change and illegal mining (popularly known as galamsey) have severely impacted water quality and accessibility, conventional water management approaches were no longer sufficient.

"We must adopt nuclear science and space science technology for precision, efficiency and sustainability," he said.

The minister highlighted Ghana’s progress in isotope hydrology as well as space technology for real time earth observation, as a major step to monitor and manage water quality.

Dr Murtala Mohammed also outlined government initiatives, including the development of Ghana’s Nuclear Power Programme to provide sustainable, cheap and reliable energy and water desalination capability, as well as the forthcoming Ghana Space Policy to elevate  the Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute (GSSTI) into a full-fledged agency with the potential of positioning Ghana as a hub for space technology in the subregion.

The Director-General of GAEC, Prof. Samuel Boakye Dampare, in a speech read on his behalf by the Deputy Director General, Prof. Francis Hasford, stressed the urgency of sustainable water management amid growing threats from pollution and climate change.

He cited GAEC’s use of isotope hydrology and remote sensing to monitor water resources, and called for policy integration of AU’s water security frameworks, enhanced partnerships between researchers, policymakers, and communities as well as increased investments in science, urging the government to allocate at least one per cent of GDP to research and innovation.

Every year on June 30, the continent of Africa commemorates the Day of the Scientific Renaissance of Africa.  A day set aside by the African Union (AU) to highlight the crucial and constructive role that science and technology play in the development of the continent.

In celebrating the day across Africa, the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), agencies under the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology (MEST), take turns hosting the celebration.

This year’s event featured key presentations on; The Role of Isotope Hydrology Technology in Water Resources Management and The Role of Remote Sensing Technology in Water Resources Management, delivered by the Director of the National Nuclear Research Institute, Prof. Samuel Ganyaglo, and Mr Kow Ahor Essel-Yorke, the representative of the Director of the Ghana Space Science and Technology, Dr Joseph Tandoh.

It was attended by scientists, policymakers, NGOs, representatives from academia and the media.