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

The deployment of small modular reactors (SMRs) presents significant regulatory challenges for newcomer countries with evolving legal, technical and institutional frameworks. This study assesses Ghana’s readiness to licence and regulate SMRs through benchmarking of its regulatory framework and institutional capacity against selected newcomer and mature nuclear regulatory bodies. The study finds that Ghana has established an important foundation for SMR regulation through its existing nuclear law, an operational regulatory authority and experience in research reactor oversight. However, regulatory readiness remains partial and evolving. The most significant gaps identified include the draft status of key regulations and licencing process documents, limited SMR‐specific technical capacity and constrained financial sustainability. The study recommends prioritising the promulgation of core regulations, developing clear guidance for the implementation of graded approach for SMRs, conducting an SMR‐specific regulatory competence self‐assessment and institutionalising early stakeholder engagement and regulatory cooperation. Overall, Ghana has a credible basis for future SMR oversight, but targeted regulatory and institutional strengthening remains essential for effective SMR licencing and oversight.