Dr. Godwin Kafui Kwesi Ayetor, Group Chair and Special Interest Group (SIG) lead for the Electric Vehicles and Sustainability Group at the Brew-Hammond Energy Centre, has stressed the urgent need for Ghana to deepen its understanding of electric vehicles (EVs) as the nation pushes toward a cleaner energy future.
He made the call during a two-day electric mobility primer organised by the Climate Compatible Growth (CCG) Programme under the Brew-Hammond Energy Centre. The event brought together policymakers and stakeholders from the Petroleum Commission, National Road Safety Authority, Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Ministry of Transport, UNEP, GIZ, TU Delft, and the Ghana Police Service.
Dr. Ayetor highlighted the human cost of Ghana’s air pollution crisis. “Some of the diseases we face, like asthma, lung cancer, neurological and cardiovascular diseases are all caused by emissions,” he said.
Though Africa contributes less than 1% of global emissions, the impact, he noted, is felt locally. “When it comes to air quality, the problem is localized. You are in Accra, and you are breathing it in. You can’t say you produce only 1%; you are still the one inhaling the pollution.”
On global EV adoption, Dr. Ayetor noted that China leads the world, with electric two- and three-wheelers forming 39% of its national fleet. Locally, he pointed to growing EV uptake, especially electric motorbikes in Tamale, Bolgatanga, and Kumasi and acknowledged the efforts of emerging e-mobility companies such as Solar Taxi, iJANU, Wahoo, and Drive EVGH.
Addressing environmental concerns, Dr. Ayetor clarified misconceptions surrounding EV batteries. Although lithium makes up only about 3.2% of the battery components, their chemistry makes them hazardous when disposed of improperly.
“Even when disposed of in a landfill, they can generate their own fire in about 20 days,” he warned. “EV batteries can produce their own oxygen and heat, so extinguishing them requires targeting the oxygen production point not just the flames.”
Dr. Akwasi Adu-Poku, SIG Coordinator of CCG Ghana Network highlighted the importance of the two-day primer.
"Today's discussion is both relevant and timely. I say this because as Ghana is in the 'preparation for take-off' phase in the implementation of the EV policy which sets a target of 35% by 2035 penetration rate of EVs, we need more sensitization and clarity - not only on technology, but also on policy, regulation, safety, and most importantly, consumer readiness"
The primer also featured insights from Mr. Francis Elikplim Otejo, a training instructor at Toyota Ghana, who reiterated that internal combustion engines can never fully eliminate carbon dioxide emissions.
“We can control the generation of carbon dioxide, but we cannot take it out completely. To achieve zero emissions and respond to global warming, the way forward is the introduction of electric vehicles”, he said
Mr. Otejo demonstrated safety precautions for working with EVs.
“You don’t wash the engine compartment with water at the washing bay. Water is a conductor and will cause trouble for the system. Use vacuum or compressed air instead,” he advised. “When working on an EV, you must wear insulated gloves because of the high voltage.”
Participants also engaged in a show-and-tell session and EV test drives, receiving firsthand insights from EV drivers and technicians.