Few months ago, the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) announced a partnership with an indigenous firm, POBAD International, to install electric vehicle (EV) charging systems across the country.
According to a statement issued by the power distribution company, the move is intended to shed light on the introduction and usage of electric vehicle modules to Ghanaian consumers.
In a first regional consultative meeting on the draft National Electric Vehicle policy held in the Volta Regional capital, the Deputy Minister for Transport, Frederick Obeng Adom, said the government will ensure a gradual and convenient shift toward the use of electric vehicles (EVs) in the country.
He said stakeholders acknowledged the heavy dependence on internal combustible engines (ICEs) and would ensure a roll-out that would benefit all players, including the transport sector.
Mr. Adom said all 3.2 million registered vehicles in the country are being powered by fuel-burning ICEs and that the transition is being structured to ensure that stranded resources – automobile skills and industries – were taken care of.
“Government is not going to hasten the transition to EVs. It is going to be a very gradual process as we build into the EV system,” he stated.
Mr. Adom, however, noted that measures, including tariff increments for the importation of vehicles running on ICEs, constituted calculated steps toward the transition; and that the draft policy would provide the needed regulations and provisions for a sustainable roll-out.
The deputy minister said the transport sector remained crucial in the new regime due to its contribution to greenhouse gas emissions and was therefore one of the areas of focus for the electric vehicle framework and policy.
He said it is important that Ghana takes advantage of opportunities abounding in new energy sources toward a net-zero emission future, and that extensive stakeholder consultation was required in producing the best national policy in the interest of all.
Madam Doris Duodu, deputy Director for Renewable Energy at the Ministry of Energy, emphasised that the country is well-positioned to lead the electric mobility era in Africa.
She highlighted the nation’s abundant renewable energy resources, which would support the promotion and success of an electric vehicle regime while also creating demand for excess electricity generated.
Ms. Duodu stated that Ghana had the opportunity to set an example for West Africa and Africa as a whole by demonstrating the success of electric mobility. She stressed the urgency of transitioning to electric vehicles within the next few years to mitigate the effects of global warming, and stressed the enormous savings associated with EVs.
The deputy director acknowledged the current limitations in terms of charging infrastructure and public awareness about EVs.
She highlighted the importance of addressing these gaps through a well-formulated policy that promotes sustainable adoption and utilisation of safe and affordable electric mobility technology.
The draft policy aims to foster sustainable demand for EVs, establish regulatory frameworks, develop human resources for the electric vehicle value chain, address industrial waste management, ensure health and safety measures, and provide research support.
The consultative meetings, involving regulatory bodies, industry players and civil society organisations, will be extended to other regions in the country.
Key objectives and strategies include the promotion of sustainable demand for EVs and the provision of laws and regulatory frameworks for its ecosystem and development.
Human resource capital for the electric vehicle value chain, industrial waste management, health and safety, and research support have been provided for in the draft policy.
Other regions in the country would benefit from the consultations which brings together a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including regulatory bodies, direct industry players, and civil society organisations.
Augustus Awiti, the Volta Regional Coordinating Director who opened the meeting, said the new mobility regime should help promote a cleaner and sustainable environment.
