Your Excellency, President John Dramani Mahama,

You have long demonstrated deep admiration for Ghana’s founding father, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, a man whose vision for a sovereign, self-reliant, and technologically advanced Ghana still inspires millions today.

Among Nkrumah’s boldest and most far-sighted ambitions was his desire to bring nuclear energy to Ghana, not for war, but for peace and economic growth. And now, Mr President, you have the singular opportunity in your Legacy Presidential term to transform that vision into reality, to leave your mark not only as a leader of your time but as the one who carried forward Nkrumah’s unfinished dream.

A Legacy That Awaits Fulfilment

In 1963, Dr Nkrumah established the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) as a cornerstone of our nation’s scientific future. He believed strongly that nuclear energy would be the backbone of Ghana’s industrialisation and long-term energy security. Though political events delayed the fulfilment of that dream, the vision never died. And today, Ghana is not starting from scratch.

More Than Three Decades of Readiness

Mr President, for over 30 years, Ghana has worked steadily with international partners, including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and countries with advanced nuclear programs through sustained technical cooperation, education, and workforce training.

Through these decades of quiet, diligent preparation:

• Ghana has built a highly skilled local workforce of nuclear scientists (home and abroad), engineers, technicians, and regulators ready to operate and manage a nuclear energy program safely and efficiently.

• The country has successfully operated a research reactor at GAEC and completed several IAEA milestones, demonstrating commitment, capacity, and credibility.

• Key national institutions have been established or strengthened, including the Nuclear Regulatory Authority, to meet international safety and oversight standards. In simple terms: Ghana is ready.

This is not an aspiration built on hope alone; it is backed by decades of capacity building, technical expertise, and international confidence.

Why You, Why Now?

President Mahama, your legacy already includes transformative strides in infrastructure, education, and energy access. But there remains a powerful, unfinished chapter that only you can complete.

Before you leave office, you can be the president who cuts the sod for Ghana’s first nuclear power plant. Not just as a developmental milestone, but as a symbolic act of continuity linking your leadership to that of Nkrumah in a direct and powerful way.

By championing this final leap:

• You will ensure Ghana’s long-term energy independence and reliability.

• You will unlock industrial potential, as stable base-load power attracts investment
and boosts productivity.

• You will elevate Ghana as a continental leader in science and innovation, inspiring
future generations.

A Legacy Cast in Stone

Dr Nkrumah laid the foundation. Ghana’s scientists and engineers have spent over three decades preparing the ground. All that remains is a leader who understands Dr Kwame Nkrumah's nuclear energy access vision to cut the sod, authorise the build, and set Ghana irreversibly on the path to nuclear energy.

Mr President, this is your moment. Let it not be said that we waited for the world to act while we stood idle. Let it be remembered that under your leadership, Ghana moved from readiness to realisation.

Let it be said that President Mahama not only honour Nkrumah in word, but in action.

Sincerely,

Signed

Innocent Tsorxe

Director, African Centre for Nuclear Education and Training- Accra.