Atomic Junction
Nuclear Power in Africa after Independence
-
- $36.99
-
- $36.99
Publisher Description
After Atomic Junction, along the Haatso-Atomic Road there lies the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, home to Africa's first nuclear programme after independence. Travelling along this road, Abena Dove Osseo-Asare gathers together stories of conflict and compromise on an African nuclear frontier. She speaks with a generation of African scientists who became captivated with 'the atom' and studied in the Soviet Union to make nuclear physics their own. On Pluton Lane and Gamma Avenue, these scientists displaced quiet farming villages in their bid to establish a scientific metropolis, creating an epicentre for Ghana's nuclear physics community. By placing interviews with town leaders, physicists and local entrepreneurs alongside archival records, Osseo-Asare explores the impact of scientific pursuit on areas surrounding the reactor, focusing on how residents came to interpret activities on these 'Atomic Lands'. This combination of historical research, personal and ethnographic observations shows how Ghanaians now stand at a crossroad, where some push to install more reactors, whilst others merely seek pipe-borne water.
Customer Reviews
Thoroughly enjoyed
Well written account of Ghana’s history in the backdrop of the Cold War. Basically, it is how Ghana played a role in the political and environmental historical framework. I really like some of the ideas on linguistic war for academic superiority being played out on Ghana’s quest for “scientific equity”. Other than that the book seems to be centered on the monumental tradition of history focus primarily on Kwame Nkrumah laying a foundation for the future. There were aspects that resonated with me and some that read as a bit of stretch.