Small Reactors, Big Questions: Rethinking Nuclear Regulation in Ghana for Small Modular Reactors

Abstract

Thedeployment of smallmodular reactors (SMRs) presents significant regulatorychallenges fornewcomer countrieswith evolving legal, technical and institutional frameworks. This studyassessesGhana’s readiness to licenceandregulateSMRs throughbenchmarkingof itsregulatoryframeworkandinstitutional capacityagainst selectednewcomerandmaturenuclear regulatorybodies.ThestudyfindsthatGhanahasestablishedanimportantfoundationforSMRregulationthroughitsexisting nuclear law, anoperational regulatoryauthorityandexperienceinresearchreactoroversight.However, regulatoryreadiness remainspartialandevolving.Themostsignificantgapsidentifiedincludethedraftstatusofkeyregulationsandlicencingprocess documents, limitedSMR-specifictechnicalcapacityandconstrainedfinancialsustainability.Thestudyrecommendsprioritising thepromulgationofcoreregulations,developingclearguidancefortheimplementationofgradedapproachforSMRs,conducting anSMR-specific regulatorycompetence self-assessment and institutionalisingearly stakeholder engagement andregulatory cooperation.Overall,GhanahasacrediblebasisforfutureSMRoversight,buttargetedregulatoryandinstitutionalstrengthening remainsessential foreffectiveSMRlicencingandoversight.