Ghana is ramping up on a planned space program that could put the country’s first satellite in space by the year 2020, according to reports.
The project is being undertaken by the Ghanaian Space Science and Technology Institute (GSSTI) and the Ghanaian Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) in partnership with UK-based Menasat Gulf Group Public Limited.
Upon successful launch, “GhanaSat1” will gather satellite imagery and other data that will further intelligence, defence, security, agriculture, transport and other state efforts.
The first leg of the project commences in 2015, with the construction of a data centre. If the program is successful, Ghana will join the league of African countries which have functional space programmes, including South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt and Morocco.
The development comes amid anxiety about Ghana’s economic outlook. Other African countries with space programmes have been criticised for prioritising the space race over the basic social and economic concerns of their territories.
Indicators of a Ghanaian foray into space first appeared in 2012.
Muyiwa Coker contributed to this report.
