Ghana has begun steps to establish a fully-fledged Ghana Space Agency as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s participation in the global space economy.
Minister of Environment, Science and Technology Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings said Cabinet had approved the establishment of the agency, with work now expected to focus on developing the necessary legislative and institutional framework.
She made this known on Friday, October 2, 2026, during a media engagement marking her first 100 days in office, where she outlined plans to make space science and technology a more integral part of Ghana’s development agenda.
The proposed agency is expected to coordinate Ghana’s space activities, support research and innovation, promote public-private partnerships, develop space infrastructure and deepen international cooperation.
“The objective is not simply to create another institution,” Dr Agyeman-Rawlings said. “The objective is to establish a capable national institution” that can coordinate Ghana’s activities and enable the country to participate meaningfully in the global space economy.
She said Ghana’s space programme should focus on practical applications that address national development challenges rather than simply serving as a symbol of technological advancement.
Among the areas identified for greater use of satellite and geospatial technologies are agriculture, flood forecasting, climate adaptation, environmental monitoring, telecommunications, maritime surveillance, urban planning and national security.
Dr Agyeman-Rawlings also pointed to Ghana’s geographical location near the equator, its position along the Gulf of Guinea and its relative stability in West Africa as opportunities for the country to develop its capabilities in space science, Earth observation, satellite data, research and innovation.
She said government would work to improve the country’s capacity to acquire, manage and analyse space-based data and convert it into information that can support policymaking.
“The value of a satellite image is not simply the image itself. Its real value lies in what we can do with the information,” she said.
The Minister further identified environmental protection as an important area for the application of space technology.
According to her, satellite imagery, drones, ground observations, geospatial systems and artificial intelligence could be used to monitor deforestation, illegal mining, land degradation, water bodies, wetlands, biodiversity, coastal ecosystems, waste management, air quality and climate-related risks.
She said the technology could support a shift from reactive environmental management towards more evidence-based and predictive approaches, particularly in efforts to combat illegal mining and protect Ghana’s water bodies.
Dr Agyeman-Rawlings also stressed the importance of developing human capital to support Ghana’s space ambitions.
She said government would encourage stronger collaboration among universities, research institutions, industry, government agencies and international partners while promoting opportunities for young Ghanaians in fields such as aerospace and satellite engineering, astrophysics, remote sensing, geospatial science, artificial intelligence, robotics, data science, telecommunications, cybersecurity, space law and entrepreneurship.
Scholarships, exchange programmes, mentorship and other capacity-building opportunities are also expected to form part of efforts to develop the next generation of Ghanaian scientists and innovators.
The Minister said the development of the space sector would also require greater private-sector participation, identifying potential commercial applications in agriculture, insurance, banking and finance, telecommunications, logistics, mining, maritime services, disaster management, urban planning and climate services.
Under the proposed model, government would provide the policy, regulatory and institutional framework, while universities and research institutions would generate knowledge and develop technologies, with private companies supporting commercialisation.
Development partners and international institutions are also expected to contribute technical and financial support.
As part of the government’s immediate priorities, Dr Agyeman-Rawlings said efforts would focus on advancing the institutional and legislative framework for the proposed agency, identifying priority infrastructure and capacity needs, and strengthening partnerships with international space agencies, research institutions and the private sector.
Government also plans to expand the use of satellite and geospatial data for environmental management, climate resilience and national development while creating more opportunities for Ghanaian researchers, engineers, students and entrepreneurs to participate in space-related programmes.
Dr Agyeman-Rawlings said Ghana would not need to develop every component of its space capabilities independently and would therefore continue to pursue international partnerships.
She referenced recent engagements in Germany, including participation in an international ministerial meeting on science, technology, innovation and space in Munich and a visit to the European Southern Observatory, as examples of the international cooperation Ghana intends to pursue.
She also linked the country’s space ambitions to the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and broader continental priorities in science, technology and innovation.
“The space economy of the 21st century is increasingly about solving real problems, creating economic opportunities, and improving lives,” Dr Agyeman-Rawlings said.
By:Rachael Djabakie