Ghana joined the rest of the continent to commemorate the Day of Scientific Renaissance of Africa with a high-level webinar highlighting the role of advanced technologies in sustainable water resources management.

The 2025 edition, hosted by the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) on Monday in Accra, was held under the theme: “Water Resources Management: The Role of Nuclear Science and Space Technology.”

The event was chaired by the Director-General of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Prof. Paul Bosso, and reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).

Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, the Director of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kwamena Quaison, underscored the critical role science is playing in addressing Ghana’s water challenges, despite the country’s vast rivers and lakes.

“Pollution, climate change, and illegal mining—popularly known as galamsey—have severely impacted water quality and accessibility. Conventional water management approaches are no longer sufficient.

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

The Minister highlighted Ghana’s advances in isotope hydrology and real-time earth observation through space technology as crucial tools in monitoring and managing water quality.

“These technologies, used by GAEC to trace water sources and detect contamination from small to large scales, are vital to our fight against galamsey and indiscriminate environmental practices,” he added.

He also outlined key government initiatives, including the Ghana Nuclear Power Programme, aimed at providing sustainable, affordable, and reliable energy with water desalination capabilities, and the upcoming Ghana Space Policy, which seeks to elevate the Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute (GSSTI) into a full-fledged agency positioned to serve as a sub-regional hub for space technology.

In a speech read on his behalf by Deputy Director-General Prof. Francis Hasford, GAEC Director-General Prof. Samuel Boakye Dampare welcomed participants and emphasized the urgency of sustainable water management amid rising threats from pollution and climate change.

Prof. Dampare highlighted GAEC’s application of isotope hydrology and remote sensing in water monitoring, and called for policy alignment with African Union water security frameworks, strengthened partnerships among scientists, policymakers, and communities, and increased national investment in science.

“Science must lead to real-world solutions. We cannot achieve water security without sustainable financing for innovation,” he said, urging government to allocate at least 1% of GDP to research and innovation.

The Day of Scientific Renaissance of Africa, observed annually on June 30, is set aside by the African Union to celebrate the critical role of science and technology in Africa’s development.

In Ghana, the day is commemorated on a rotating basis by the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, both agencies under the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology.

This year’s event featured key technical presentations, including “The Role of Isotope Hydrology Technology in Water Resources Management” by Prof. Samuel Ganyaglo, Director of the National Nuclear Research Institute, and “The Role of Remote Sensing Technology in Water Resources Management.”

It was delivered by Kow Ahor Essel-Yorke, on behalf of Dr. Joseph Tandoh, Director of the Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute.

The event drew participants from across the scientific community, government, academia, civil society, and the media.