EPA Boss Advocates Investment in Space Technology to Tackle Galamsey and Strengthen Environmental Protection
The Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse, has called on government and the private sector to prioritize investment in space technology as a sustainable solution to illegal mining (galamsey) and environmental degradation.
Speaking at the maiden Ghana Space Conference held at the University of Ghana, Legon, Prof. Klutse said the recent approval of the Ghana Space Policy by Parliament represents a major milestone in the country’s efforts to harness science, technology, and innovation for national development.
“Ghana is already using space technology in several institutions,” she said. “What we need now is to move beyond being consumers to becoming producers of these tools. That’s how we gain real economic power and control.”
Prof. Klutse emphasized that while the initial investment in space technology may be costly, its long-term benefits—including improved resource management, efficient environmental monitoring, and industrial growth—far outweigh the expenses.
She explained that space-based applications, such as precision agriculture and precision mining, could revolutionize how natural resources are managed. These technologies, she noted, can pinpoint the exact locations of mineral deposits, thereby eliminating the need for random and destructive digging that often pollutes rivers and destroys farmlands.
“With precision mining, there will be no need for indiscriminate excavation,” she added. “Technology can help us protect our lands, rivers, and communities from the harmful effects of illegal mining.”
Prof. Klutse further revealed that the EPA already utilizes satellite and space-based systems to monitor air and water quality, forest cover, and land use changes. However, she stressed the need to expand local capacity to ensure Ghana can independently develop and maintain such technologies.
The Director of the Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute (GSSTI), Dr. Joseph Bremang Tandoh, echoed her sentiments, calling for increased collaboration and funding to advance Ghana’s space agenda.
“Both the United Nations Convention and the African Space Policy identify space technology as a key driver of sustainable development,” Dr. Tandoh stated. “About 90 percent of Africa’s challenges can be addressed through space technology.”
He disclosed that Parliament has also approved the establishment of a National Space Agency to coordinate all space-related initiatives across the country.
“We are not starting from scratch,” Dr. Tandoh noted. “What we need now are resources and deliberate investments to make Ghana an active player in the global space economy.”
The global space industry is currently valued at around US$600 billion and is projected to reach US$1.3 trillion within the next decade. Africa’s share, estimated at US$22 billion, could expand significantly if countries like Ghana invest in local production and innovation.
“If we continue importing these technologies, we will remain mere consumers,” Dr. Tandoh cautioned. “Developing our own tools will create jobs, build expertise, and retain value within our economy.”
Both Prof. Klutse and Dr. Tandoh underscored that inadequate funding remains the biggest barrier to Ghana’s participation in the global space ecosystem. They urged government, academia, and industry to work hand-in-hand to drive innovation, protect the environment, and position Ghana as a leading hub for space technology and sustainable development in Africa.
Credit: Carlos A. Calony
