Ghana is seeking to move beyond being a consumer of space technology and position itself to participate more actively in the growing global space economy.
The ambition was highlighted during a visit by veteran Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata, Astronaut and Chief Technology Officer for Asia Pacific at Axiom Space, to the Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute (GSSTI).
Wakata, who has completed five space flights and spent 504 days in space, engaged researchers and students during the visit as part of efforts to deepen discussions on aerospace, space science and Ghana’s potential in the sector.
Director of the Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute, Dr Joseph Bremang Tandoh, said Ghana already has a policy framework for the sector and must now focus on implementation.
“Ghana already has a space policy that has been approved by Cabinet, and last year an approval was given for the establishment of Ghana Space Agency,” he said.
Dr Tandoh said Ghana’s ambition should go beyond using technologies developed elsewhere.
“We have a policy, and we need to start implementing it. We don’t want to be consumers; we want to partake, and we want to position ourselves in a way that we will contribute to the space economy,” he said.
He acknowledged that Ghana remains at an early stage of its space development but said sustained investment and commitment could eventually enable the country to produce its own astronaut.
“Currently, we are in the baby stages, but if we are able to put in the right tools and the right commitment, we will be able, in the next few years, also to produce our own astronaut who can go to space,” Dr Tandoh said.
Learning from an astronaut
Wakata’s visit also gave Ghanaian researchers and students an opportunity to interact directly with someone with extensive experience in human spaceflight.
Professor Felix Akomah Asante of the University of Ghana and Principal Investigator of the Japan Centre Project said Wakata was invited as the project’s scholar for the year.
He said the visit was aimed at exposing the astronaut to Ghana’s aerospace activities while creating opportunities for knowledge-sharing with researchers.
“He is an astronaut and works with Axiom Space, and he’s been to space several times. The visit is to show him our aerospace activities in Ghana and have discussions with researchers, and he will share ideas on how we can also get closer to going to space,” Prof Asante said.
For students, the encounter offered an opportunity to engage with someone who had experienced spaceflight firsthand.
One student described the meeting as particularly significant, noting that astronomy had largely been something encountered through scientific facts and classroom lessons.
“Ever since I was in basic school, it’s always been about scientific facts about astronomy, and you never get to experience it, but meeting an astronaut today will definitely help me make an impact,” the student said.
A Ghanaian astronaut?
Wakata said he would like to see greater participation by Ghanaians in space exploration and the emerging commercial space industry.
The veteran astronaut, who now works with Axiom Space on the development of commercial space activities, said Ghana had significant potential in the sector.
“I would really like to see more people in Ghana who will utilise the space environment,” he said.
He also expressed hope that a Ghanaian could eventually participate in a space mission.
“I’m also looking forward to seeing a Ghanaian astronaut flying with us to the International Space Station at Axiom Space Station, and Ghana has huge potential in space exploration,” Wakata said.
Wakata’s career spans more than three decades in human spaceflight. He has flown on four types of spacecraft, including the Space Shuttle, Soyuz and Crew Dragon, and became the first Japanese astronaut to command the International Space Station in 2014.
His visit comes as Ghana seeks to strengthen its capacity in space science and technology and explore ways the sector can contribute to national development.
For Ghana, the conversation is therefore increasingly moving beyond observing the stars to considering what role the country can play in the global space economy—and whether a Ghanaian could one day be among those making the journey into space.
