Ghana Hosts Technical Advisory Mission to Advance Development of its National Space Agency

From 17 to 19 June 2025, Ghana is hosting a Technical Advisory Mission (TAM) on space law to support Ghana’s journey toward formally establishing the Ghana Space Agency. The mission is being led by the Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute (GSSTI), under the guidance of the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology (MEST), with technical support from the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and backing from the French Government.

The initiative reflects Ghana’s commitment to transitioning from policy formulation to legal implementation in the space sector. Additionally, the visit by UNOOSA underscores international confidence in Ghana’s institutional readiness and its intent to build a credible legal framework that aligns with global practices governing outer space activities. At the heart of the mission is the development of a comprehensive national space law, with the aim of;

• Institutional groundwork for the Ghana Space Agency – The framework will lay the legal foundation necessary for the formal establishment and sustainable operation of the Ghana Space Agency.
• Protection of national assets – It will help safeguard Ghana’s strategic interests, including space-based infrastructure and emerging satellite capabilities.
• Strengthened international cooperation – The framework will enhance Ghana’s ability to collaborate with international partners and uphold its obligations under space treaties by aligning with global legal standards.
• Establish legal foundations – This will establish a clear and consistent legal foundation to guide public institutions and private enterprises engaged in space-related activities in Ghana.

This initiative builds directly on the momentum of Ghana’s recently launched national space policy, which emphasises the need for robust legal and regulatory frameworks to guide safe and responsible space activities. As part of this effort, Ghana is working to ratify key international treaties, including the Outer Space Treaty and the Liability Convention, to align its laws with global standards. The Technical Advisory Mission marks a timely step in translating policy into practice, creating a solid foundation for a sustainable and internationally credible space sector.

Past Technical Advisory Missions Across Africa

UNOOSA has also provided ongoing support across Africa through its Technical Advisory Missions (TAMs), helping national governments build legal and regulatory frameworks for responsible space activity. These missions aim to guide countries in drafting space legislation, strengthen treaty compliance, and address core issues, such as licensing, liability, registration, oversight, and debris mitigation.

In September 2024, Morocco hosted a UNOOSA-led TAM that brought together national officials and legal experts from France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and others. This collaborative effort helped Morocco align its future legal framework with international standards in space governance. Similarly, Kenya hosted a three-day TAM in April 2023 in partnership with the Kenya Space Agency, supported by France. The mission gathered over 50 participants from government, academia, and industry to deliver capacity-building on international space law, oversight procedures, treaty obligations, and national licensing structures. Additionally, tailored legal advisory and training sessions reinforced Kenya’s drafting of its space legislation journey and emphasised responsible space operations and compliance with global practices.