Ghana has announced the development of an E-Mobility Policy to guide the deployment and scale-up of electric vehicles in the West African country.
The E-Mobility Policy will define the operational guidelines as Ghana prepares to introduce the first-ever powered electric buses and gas-powered buses for public transportation in the country.
The country’s deputy minister of transport, Mr. Hassan Tampuli, who dropped the hint in Ghana, said the country’s transport sector is focusing on the technological shift to gradually phase -out fossil fuels in the sector to help achieve net-zero future hence.
The minister assured that the next set of buses that we are going to get for Intercity STC Company Limited, and Metro Mass Transit (MMT) would all be electric transportation compliant vehicles. Majority of Ghanaians depend on small to medium size vehicles powered by either petrol or diesel engines.
Data available at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) shows that out of the 2.8 million registered vehicles as of 2021, 72% are powered by petrol engines, 27% by diesel engines, and less than 1% by LPG and other energy sources.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency is the organization of the UK government responsible for maintaining a database of drivers in Great Britain and a database of vehicles for the entire UK.
A report shows that the high dependency on fossil fuels coupled with a number of factors such as traffic congestion have made the transport sector a net emitter of greenhouse gases.
“In this regard, the minister for transport has indicated that the next sets of buses that we are going to get for STC, MMT are all going to be electric vehicles. These interventions are likely going to serve as important leverage that is going to set the tone for the global gradual decarburization of the transport industry,” the minister stated.
Part of the overall plan is that the transition to renewable energy will help achieve Ghana’s Sustainable Development Goal 7, which is affordable and clean energy for all by 2030.
“I strongly believe that developing a National Energy Transition Plan is part of our efforts towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal Seven (7). It requires a strong partnership between the government on one hand and civil society, the private sector, traditional authorities and academia on the other hand. It is, therefore, relevant for all stakeholders to provide useful information to augment the preparation of the plan,” said the minister.
By Chidi Ekpewerechi
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