Ghana is set to join the global movement towards electric vehicles (EVs) as President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo prepares to launch the country’s EV policy at the COP 28 climate change conference in Dubai.
The policy, which was developed with technical assistance from the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN), aims to create an enabling environment for the uptake of EVs to reduce emissions and improve the well-being of the populace.
According to the policy document, the vision is to achieve sustainable adoption and utilization of safe and affordable EVs, while the mission is to decarbonize the transport sector in line with the Ghana National Energy Transition Plan 2022- 2070 and global commitments on climate change.
The policy has eight objectives with accompanying strategies and an implementation plan with a clear roadmap. Some of the key activities in the first phase of the project, which spans from 2024-2026, include the establishment of a climate change unit, public education, and awareness creation, the development of standards and protocols for EVs and charging infrastructure, and the development of human capital for the EV value chain.
The second phase of the project, which spans from 2027-2035, has a target of 35 percent EV penetration rate, with some key activities comprising the procurement of EVs by government institutions, with 60 percent of a government car and van fleet to be EVs by 2035.
The policy also seeks to address the barriers and challenges that may hinder the adoption of EVs, such as high upfront costs, lack of charging infrastructure, limited consumer awareness, and regulatory gaps.
The policy was informed by extensive consultations with various stakeholders, including regional administrations, ministries, departments and agencies, private sector organizations, professional bodies, transport operators, and academia.
The launch of the policy is expected to demonstrate Ghana’s commitment to fulfilling her pledge to implement measures to contribute to achieving the objectives of the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global warming to well below 2°C, preferably to 1.5°C, compared to pre-industrial levels.
Ghana is among the African countries that have submitted their updated nationally determined contributions (NDCs) to the UNFCCC, outlining their climate actions and targets for the period 2020-2030.
The country has also developed a long-term low-carbon development strategy (LTLDS) that outlines the vision and pathways for achieving a prosperous, climate-resilient, and low-carbon economy by 2050.
The launch of the EV policy is expected to attract investors and partners who are interested in supporting Ghana’s green transition and creating opportunities for innovation and job creation in the EV sector.
Ghana is not the only African country that is embracing EVs as a solution to reduce emissions and improve air quality. According to a report by BloombergNEF, EV sales in Africa are projected to grow from 1,600 in 2020 to 145,000 in 2030, driven by supportive policies, falling battery costs, and rising consumer demand.
The report also highlights the potential for EVs to provide grid services, such as demand response and frequency regulation, and to support the integration of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind.
As the world gathers in Dubai for COP 28, Ghana is poised to showcase its leadership and ambition in tackling climate change and promoting sustainable development through the launch of its EV policy.
Source: Graphic Online
