Accra: The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Suame, Mr. John Darko on Friday, raised concern about the potential impact of Ghana's green transition on the country's auto mechanics. He said, with the government's recent creation of the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, the shift towards electric vehicles (EVs) could lead to significant job losses in the industry, particularly in his constituency.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Darko made the remarks in his statement on 'Green Transition and its Effects on the Auto Mechanics in Suame Industrial Area,' on the Floor of the House. He emphasized the importance of job creation in nation building, questioning if the jobs associated with EVs could replace the jobs of over a million Ghanaians who depend on fixing combustion engines.
Mr. Darko highlighted that the Suame constituency is an industrialised area with many workshops for metal, artisanal engineering, and vehicle repairs, providing direct and indirect jobs to about 500,000 Ghanaians. He expressed concerns that the phasing out of combustion engines would lead to job losses for workers specializing in engine blocks, cylinder heads, intake and exhaust valves, and related services.
As a result, the Suame MP urged the government to be deliberate and purposeful in its approach to address the job losses expected with the influx of EVs. He also expressed his intention to lead a private member's bill that would require the executive to allocate funds and take practical steps to prepare auto mechanics across the country with necessary training and technology.
The Ministry of Energy and Green Transition has reaffirmed its commitment to assembling combustion engine vehicles and promoting clean energy. Additionally, Ghana has unveiled West Africa's largest floating solar power plant, demonstrating its efforts to increase its use of clean energy.
