As Ghana ramps up its push toward clean energy and electric mobility, concerns are mounting about the potential fallout for traditional workers, particularly in the auto repair industry.
On Friday, the Member of Parliament for Suame, Mr. John Darko, took to the floor of Parliament to caution against the unintended consequences of Ghana’s green transition—especially for thousands of auto mechanics and artisans whose livelihoods depend on internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.
While welcoming the creation of the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, Mr. Darko argued that the shift toward electric vehicles (EVs) must be carefully managed to avoid large-scale unemployment, particularly in areas like Suame, which is known for its vibrant cluster of artisanal engineering workshops.
“Our fixation on green transition… will take away jobs from over a million Ghanaians whose jobs depend on fixing combustion engines,” he stated, adding that the Suame Industrial Area alone supports over 500,000 jobs, both directly and indirectly.
The Suame MP urged the government to adopt a job-sensitive approach to its green agenda, stressing the need for reskilling programmes and policy safeguards that ensure auto mechanics are not left behind in the transition.
Mr. Darko revealed plans to introduce a Private Member’s Bill that would legally compel the executive to allocate funding for technical training, equipment upgrades, and support systems to transition the informal auto industry into the electric era.
“There is nothing more important in nation building than job creation,” he said. “Let us ensure our green ambitions do not sacrifice our existing workforce.”
Meanwhile, the government maintains that it is taking a balanced approach. The Ministry of Energy and Green Transition has reiterated its commitment to continuing the assembly of combustion engine vehicles while simultaneously promoting clean energy.
Ghana’s green energy profile continues to grow, marked by the unveiling of West Africa’s largest floating solar power plant, and increasing global recognition for its efforts in sustainable energy development.
However, Mr. Darko’s statement highlights a deeper policy debate: Can Ghana transition to a green economy without displacing vulnerable workers—and if so, how?
As Parliament takes up the conversation, stakeholders across the automotive, energy, and labour sectors are watching closely to see how inclusive Ghana’s energy future will truly be.
