Ghana has been called upon to fast-track the decarbonisation of its transport sector to harness clean energy benefits, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and strengthen the country’s burgeoning automotive industry.

The appeal was made on Monday, January 26, by the UK–Ghana Jobs and Economic Transformation (JET) Programme, in observance of the International Day of Clean Energy.

The JET Programme emphasised that Ghana is well placed to leverage clean energy to drive industrial competitiveness, create quality jobs, and cement its position as a leading automotive hub in West Africa, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 7.

The initiative urged Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, champion of the Ghana Automotive Development Policy, and the Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, to lead a coordinated effort to accelerate cleaner transport and support an inclusive energy transition.

According to the programme, advancing clean energy is crucial not only for Ghana’s unconditional target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 15 per cent by 2030 under its Nationally Determined Contribution, but also for addressing rising public health and economic costs linked to transport emissions.

Transportation remains one of the country’s largest sources of greenhouse gases, accounting for nearly half of all energy-related emissions.

Between 2015 and 2023, emissions from the sector rose by almost 15 per cent, driven largely by fossil fuel dependence, an ageing vehicle fleet, and rapid urbanisation—factors closely tied to the automotive industry.

The JET Programme further highlighted the public health impact of transport emissions, noting that air pollution is now the second leading cause of death in Ghana, after HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria combined.

The economic cost of poor air quality is estimated at $3 billion annually, equivalent to roughly four per cent of GDP, underscoring the urgency of transitioning to cleaner transport.