Ghana’s electric vehicle rollout faces challenges due to skills, infrastructure gaps
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Energy Commission (EC) have expressed concerns about the lack of skills and infrastructure needed to support Ghana’s electric vehicle (EV) rollout.
Both organizations highlighted the absence of skilled experts and basic EV infrastructure required to facilitate the adoption of electric vehicles in the country.
These concerns were raised during a joint event by UNDP and the Energy Commission, which focused on presenting the Market Opportunity Study on Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in Ghana.
The report provided an in-depth analysis of the current charging and battery swap infrastructure and identified opportunities and challenges across various sectors.
Mr. Sukhrob Khoshmukhamadov, Deputy Resident Representative at UNDP, emphasized that EVs offered a significant opportunity for Ghana to accelerate its renewable energy adoption, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and combat urban air pollution.
He noted that EV infrastructure, particularly charging stations, must be integrated into the government’s incentive policies to encourage private sector investments.
While acknowledging the importance of EV infrastructure, Mr. Khoshmukhamadov raised concerns about Ghana’s reliance on foreign experts for basic EV maintenance due to a skills gap.
Despite this, he expressed optimism that the workshop would help foster collaboration among stakeholders to address these challenges and unlock the full potential of the EV sector.
He further added that the insights from the report and the subsequent discussions could drive investments that would reduce Ghana’s dependence on fossil fuels, while also creating green jobs for the future.
Dr. Godwin Kafui Ayetor, a Consultant for the Energy Commission, highlighted the challenges Ghana was facing with its electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.
He pointed out that there are only seven charging stations in the country, all located in Accra, and no charging stations in other regions, which was hindering the widespread adoption of EVs.
Dr. Ayetor urged regulators and government agencies to develop a comprehensive framework for the placement of charging stations across the country.
He suggested that the government should map out locations for charging stations in cities like Accra to ensure better coordination and accessibility.
Dr. Ayetor also raised concerns about the quality of electricity supplied to charging stations, noting that many rely on the national grid, and the lack of backup power was a significant challenge.
To address this, he called for the government to provide incentives for the private sector to set up more renewable energy-powered charging stations, reducing dependency on the national grid.
Dr. Ayetor noted the skills gap in the country, particularly in the installation and maintenance of EV charging stations.
He urged the Energy Commission to organize capacity-building programmes to equip local electricians with the necessary skills to support the growing EV infrastructure.
Source: GNA