As Ghana seeks to establish itself as a major hub for space science, satellite technology and earth observation in Africa, Environment, Science and Technology Minister Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings says Ghana’s geographic position and political stability give the country a strong foundation to expand its presence in the space sector.

She said Ghana’s space agenda must extend beyond the development of satellites to include the practical use of satellite data and geospatial technologies to address pressing national challenges.

Speaking at an engagement on Ghana’s Space Science and Technology Agenda, Dr Agyeman-Rawlings identified flooding, climate change, environmental degradation, coastal management and urban development as areas that could benefit significantly from space technology.

She said satellite imagery, drone technology, ground-based monitoring, geospatial systems and artificial intelligence could improve environmental surveillance and enforcement, particularly in efforts to tackle illegal mining and protect the country’s water bodies.

“Our response to environmental degradation must increasingly be supported by credible, timely and spatially disaggregated information,” she said.

The Minister also highlighted the need to develop a skilled workforce capable of driving Ghana’s ambitions in the space industry.

According to her, Ghana’s biggest asset in the sector will be people with the expertise to design and operate satellites, interpret space-based data and create businesses around emerging technologies.

She said government would deepen collaboration between universities, research institutions, private businesses, state agencies and international partners to expand opportunities in the sector.

Dr Agyeman-Rawlings also encouraged young people to consider careers in areas such as aerospace, satellite engineering, astrophysics, remote sensing, artificial intelligence, robotics, data science and space entrepreneurship.

She further called for increased private-sector investment, stressing that Ghana’s space ambitions could not be sustained by government alone.

She said local businesses could develop space and geospatial solutions for industries including agriculture, insurance, banking, telecommunications, logistics, mining, maritime services, disaster management, urban planning and climate-related services.

Dr Agyeman-Rawlings said the long-term goal was to create a national space ecosystem in which government sets the policy and regulatory direction, academia and research institutions drive knowledge and technological development, while the private sector turns innovations into commercial products and services.

She added that development partners and young innovators would also have important roles to play in providing support and introducing new ideas to Ghana’s growing space sector.