The Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute has announced that Ghana is soon going to launch a rocket into space.
The institute, however, indicated that this long-term ambition will have to tie in with other member states of the International Astronomical Union for its realization.
The 2024 IAU General Assembly will be the first to take place on the African continent in the 105-year history of the Union and will be located in Cape Town, South Africa. This milestone thus becomes an exceptional feat for both the IAU and South Africa.
The IAU General Assembly represents the largest global platform where astronomers, scientists, and researchers can share and discuss recent advances in astronomical research and further promote international collaboration.
It will bring together over 2,000 experts from 82 countries—the latest sign that Cape Town is fast gaining ground as a major site for scientific discourse and innovation.
Speaking on the sidelines of this event to JoyNews’ Blessed Sogah, a Research Scientist at the Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute, Dr. Naomi Asabre Frimpong, disclosed that “Ghana does plan to go space.”
“However, we are going to need a lot of investment in space technology—in space engineering, communication, and research—because our infrastructure right now does not support going to space as far as the international space station.”
Commenting on the concerns that Ghana, together with some other African countries, may not have had advanced satellite technology, Dr Naomi intimated, “Ghanaians are really brilliant; we have lots of potential and are able to do lots with the little infrastructure that we have.”
“So with government support, public support and our own research and universities Ghanaians can do much more to contribute to the International Scientific Community and so I don’t think we should look down on our scientists, we can do more with more support.”
Reacting to concerns that advanced satellite technology may not be available in Ghana and other African countries, Dr Naomi Asabre Frimpong expressed confidence in Ghanaian capabilities.
She says, “Ghanaians are really brilliant; there’s so much potential and we can do so much with the little infrastructure we have. With government support, public support, support from our research institutions and our universities, Ghanaians would contribute definitely a lot to the scientific community at the global level. We, therefore, do not have to look down on our scientists. We can do a lot more if supported.”
South Africa is one of the hosts for the 2024 IAU General Assembly and would be willing to partner with countries like Ghana to enhance their contributions to the global astronomy community.
The General Manager for Communications at Brand South Africa, which is the official destination marketing agency of South Africa, Thoko Modise, said the partnership was exciting.
“We are pleased to partner with the International Astronomical Union for the 2024 General Assembly.”
“What is more, hosting this kind of prestigious event in Cape Town simply reverberates in terms of South Africa’s stature in the global astronomy community by underpinning the country’s commitment toward supporting international collaboration and innovation. It emphasizes the increasing importance of our country in this very field and our ability to host world-class events.
The 2024 IAU General Assembly is an opportunity of immense proportion to engage South African scientists in showcasing some of the advances made so far in the field of astronomy, particularly as contributors to the SKA project.
This is one ambitious drive by the international community to come up with a very large and sensitive radio telescope; it will have components stationed in the Karoo desert of South Africa and the Murchison region of Western Australia.
The SKA will be a sensitivity and scale project to uncover new secrets about the universe, unparalleled. Recent developments include the installation of the first phase of dishes and the successful deployment of advanced technologies, foretelling important discoveries in radio astronomy and deeper exploration into cosmic phenomena.
Presentations at the assembly will include those on the new understanding brought to us about the universe from the James Webb Space Telescope, innovative techniques for discovering exoplanets, initiatives to combat light pollution, and astronomy in global development.
Guests of great distinction include Dr. Sian Proctor, who became the first African American woman to pilot a spacecraft on the all-civilian Inspiration4 mission.
Furthermore, Dr. Brian Schmidt, winner of the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics for his work on the accelerating expansion of the universe, will be interviewed during a live broadcast of the “Cosmic Savannah” podcast at the CTICC on August 14 from 7:30-9:30 PM.
Adding to these will be public events involving a former NASA astronaut, the first African American woman in space, Mae Jemison, along with, on August 9, a live radio link with the International Space Station featuring ten Cape Town learners joined by NASA astronaut Sunitha Williams.
K Fosu The Informant is a lifestyle blogger with 6 years' experience in content and web development. He is a Google keyword planner, SEO analyst, an influencer and entrepreneur who holds BA Degree from Ghana's Premier University.
