Ghana’s Leap into the SKA Era: TART Installation and Training at GRAO

Ghana is stepping boldly into the international astronomy arena with the successful installation of the Transient Array Radio Telescope (TART) at the Ghana Radio Astronomy Observatory (GRAO), Kuntunse. The installation was completed during a training workshop held from 18–22 August 2025, organised by the Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute (GSSTI) with partners from South Africa and New Zealand.

TART is a small but powerful modular telescope that provides an affordable platform for teaching and research. By allowing students and technicians to physically assemble and operate the system, it delivers practical training that complements classroom theory. Its presence in Ghana not only strengthens national expertise but also connects the country directly to the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), the world’s most ambitious radio astronomy project.

Complete TART telescope: The white circles on the arms are the radio receivers and their antennas, which are essential components for detecting the radio signals produced by cosmic rays.

Over the course of five days, nineteen participants from GSSTI, KNUST, the UCC, and the DARA programme were introduced to radio astronomy techniques ranging from interferometry to signal calibration. Working side by side with international experts, they gained skills in handling antennas, configuring electronics, and processing astronomical data.

The installation of Ghana’s first TART array represents more than a scientific milestone. It is an investment in young talent, an opportunity for schools and universities to expand their STEM education programmes, and a step towards broader innovation. It also reflects Ghana’s growing contribution to continental science partnerships, particularly within the SKA value chain.

The antennas look at the whole sky at once at 1.575 GHz.

As GSSTI prepares to transform into a national space agency, the role of space science in everyday life becomes clearer. Astronomy and satellite technology are already helping Ghana monitor illegal mining, improve environmental management, strengthen security, and support planning for a growing population. By embracing projects like TART, Ghana is positioning itself at the frontier of science while also addressing urgent national priorities.

Dr. Theophilus Ansah-Narh
(Senior Research Scientist, Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute)

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