By Belinda Nketia
The Ghana Radio Astronomy Observatory, Africa’s second-largest radio telescope, situated at Kuntunse in Accra, is facing a critical threat from encroaching settlements. Since its commissioning in 1981, the observatory has been gradually overrun, reducing its operational area from 165 acres to just 30 acres.
This rampant encroachment has severely impacted the observatory’s capacity for astronomical observation and research. Designed to manage nine radio satellites, the facility is currently operating with only four, with radio signals frequently disrupted by nearby settlements. Domestic appliances like microwaves and other devices interfere with the sensitive radio signals needed for astronomical research.
Obrempong Toku Dum VIII, project manager for the real-time aired station, emphasized the significance of the facility, saying, “Through this project, Ghana has been put on the map of the global science and research community.” The observatory serves as the “Africa Training center for astronomy,” but encroachment threatens to disrupt research and training.
Dr. Joseph Bremang Tandoh, director of Ghana Space Science Technology, called for urgent intervention, highlighting the facility’s importance in capacity building and training. “We have built capacity, and lots of people have been trained on this facility. Just last year, we trained eleven African countries in STEM education and data science… This is what will inspire our next generation.”
The encroaching settlements not only impede current operations but also jeopardize Ghana’s position as a hub for scientific research in Africa. Authorities must act quickly to reclaim the observatory’s land and protect this vital scientific resource, he said.
The Ghana Radio Astronomy Observatory urged authorities and stakeholders to intervene and halt the activities of encroachers, ensuring the protection of the observatory.
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