Ohene-Akoto Warns Ghana Against Poor Maintenance Culture Ahead of Nuclear Power Plans

Engineer Justice Ohene-Akoto has cautioned Ghana against pursuing its ambition of establishing a world-class nuclear power facility without first addressing the country’s poor maintenance culture.

He argued that Ghana must fundamentally improve the way it maintains public infrastructure, equipment and critical facilities before taking on the enormous responsibilities associated with operating a nuclear power plant.

According to Ohene-Akoto, nuclear power generation requires strict operational discipline, advanced technical expertise, effective safety systems and a strong commitment to regular maintenance.

He stressed that the country cannot expect to operate a facility that meets international standards while continuing to tolerate maintenance practices that could compromise the safety and efficiency of major infrastructure.

His comments highlight concerns about Ghana’s preparedness to manage the technical and institutional demands of nuclear energy.

Nuclear power plants require continuous monitoring, regular equipment inspections, preventive maintenance and strict adherence to established safety procedures. Any failure to maintain critical systems could have serious consequences for workers, surrounding communities and the wider environment.

Ohene-Akoto’s warning suggests that Ghana’s nuclear energy ambitions must go beyond acquiring sophisticated technology and constructing modern facilities.

He believes the country must also develop the institutional discipline, technical capacity and maintenance standards required to sustain such infrastructure over several decades.

Ghana has been exploring nuclear power as part of its long-term strategy to diversify its electricity generation sources and strengthen energy security.

The proposed nuclear programme is expected to provide an additional source of reliable electricity as the country seeks to meet growing demand from households, industries and businesses.

However, the successful implementation of the programme will depend on several factors, including regulatory preparedness, skilled personnel, financing, infrastructure development and compliance with international nuclear safety standards.

Ohene-Akoto’s remarks therefore draw attention to the importance of building a strong maintenance culture before committing to a project where operational failures could carry significant risks.

His position is that Ghana must first demonstrate the ability to properly maintain its existing infrastructure before assuming the responsibility of managing one of the most technically demanding forms of electricity generation.

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