By Joyce Kantam Kolamong
In a significant step towards establishing a sustainable and efficient transportation system, the Ministry of Transport has held a dissemination workshop in Tamale to discuss the revised National Transport Policy and National Electric Vehicle Policy.
The event brought together stakeholders from various sectors, including regional administrations, ministries, departments, agencies, private sector organisations, professional bodies, transport operators, and academia.
Deputy Minister of Transport, Alhassan Tampuli Sulemana, expressed optimism that the two policies will serve as a crucial point in the journey towards creating a transportation system that is environmentally friendly, efficient, and sustainable. He emphasised that the policies demonstrate the government’s unwavering dedication to confronting the urgent challenges and the need for sustainable development.
The National Electric Vehicle Policy aims to decarbonise the transport sector and reduce emissions, aligning with global climate objectives and transitioning towards a low-carbon economy. The policy’s vision is the sustainable adoption and utilisation of safe and affordable electric vehicles, which will reduce greenhouse emissions, improve air quality, and create new opportunities for domestic industries.
The Ministry of Transport, with technical assistance from the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN), the implementation arm of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) Technology Mechanism, and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), conducted studies that informed the development of the national electric vehicle policy. The studies included baseline conditions, electric vehicle priority, barriers to electric vehicles, and measures to overcome the barriers. The conclusions of these studies will inform the implementation of the National Electric Vehicle Policy, ensuring a sustainable and efficient transportation system in Ghana.
According to the Deputy Minister, the Revised National Transport Policy (2020) promotes affordable, safe, comfortable, effective, efficient, dependable, and environmentally friendly transport for the movement of goods and services, particularly in urban areas. He noted that the policy represents a comprehensive framework that tackles emerging challenges by advocating for safe, more efficient, and environmentally viable transportation systems.
During the workshop, it was revealed that currently, there are over 3.2 million vehicles in Ghana, with less than 1% being electric or LPG. However, as of last year, there were 1,957 electric vehicles and over 19,000 hybrid vehicles licensed, indicating a growing trend towards sustainable transportation.
The Northern Regional Coordinating Director, Mumuni Damma, who stood in for the Regional Minister, emphasised the importance of the National Electric Vehicle Policy in aligning with global climate objectives and transitioning towards a low-carbon economy. He noted that promoting the adoption of electric vehicles will reduce greenhouse emissions, improve air quality, and create new opportunities for domestic industries.
The stakeholder consultations will ensure that the concerns and views of the public are adequately addressed to facilitate effective implementation and ownership of the policy, among others.
