The UN resident coordinator for Ghana Charles Abani has praised the country for making progress in raising funds for investments through green climate financing for energy transition interventions that minimise carbon emissions into the atmosphere.
Ghana’s Energy Transition Model for achieving a net zero target in 2070 is estimated at a cost of US$562 billion.
Speaking in an interview at the sidelines of a two-day inaugural EV Revolution Africa E-mobility conference and exhibition in Accra on Tuesday (9 July) , Abani urged Ghana to build on the successes so far made in this particular area to raise more funding from the global carbon market.
“This EV, E-transportation conference is a really important opportunity for Ghana and actually the country is not transitioning from a carbon-heavy environment, it’s actually growing into what we hope will be a clean and green economy. E-transportation offers a great opportunity.”
“The country must have an enabling policy environment that is balance between the opportunities of bringing foreign investments and but also looking at the opportunity to create jobs to leverage the whole value chain for Ghanaian businesses,” he added.
He said even though there is a lack of abundant infrastructure for EV cars and for the country’s e-mobility implementation, there exists numerous opportunities of investments.
Abani advised the government to harness its lithium discovery appropriately to attract the right investments in the e-mobility space.
The ERA e-mobility conference is an energy transition-driven conference dedicated to maximising business collaboration for economic development in Africa and accelerating the growth of the African e-mobility ecosystem; addressing pressing policy challenges and exploring opportunities for sustainable e-mobility.
The Energy Quest Foundation, with the support of the United Nations, the Ghana Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology & Innovations, and Fidelity Bank organised the main event.
It was under the theme: “The New Era: Innovation and sustainability”.
The founder of Energy Quest Foundation, Lesley Arthur said the aim of the conference was to propel the e-mobility sector in the continent.
“We want to ensure that Africa is not left behind this time on this new initiative and industry development,” Arthur said.
“… EV is whole industry together, so the revolution is to aid the true development of the industry so that Africa can [harness] economic benefit and also contribute to carbon conversation,” she added.
In a welcome address at the the deputy managing director of Fidelity Bank, Atta Yeboah Gyan said as part of the organization’s corporate social responsibility initiative Fidelity bank has constructed a solar powered six unit classroom block in the Duose community within the Upper West Region bringing the power of education and light to a community previously off the national electricity grid.
“We have partnered with solar energy providers, allowing our customers to access these products through our convenient financing schemes.”
“Leading by example, we have incorporated solar power into the energy mix at our Fidelity Bank Head Office Annex building, demonstrating the cost-saving and eco-friendly benefits of renewable energy.” Yeboah Gyan stated.
Fdelity Bank Ghana is the main green partners for the maiden e-mobility Africa conference.
About Energy Quest Foundation
Energy Quest Foundation seeks to demystify the Energy Sector, giving clarity and understanding to all, impacting lives, and the environment.
The foundation has over the years educated and empowered thousands of individuals in the energy sector. We have projected various businesses within the energy sector while exploring many opportunities for foreign direct investment within the sector.
The foundation has undertaken ground-breaking projects towards promoting awareness about sustainability, women empowerment, youth capacity building and creating a platform for dialogues on a just energy transition for Africa.
Projects include The Energy Quest Talk Show, The Women in Energy project, the Energy Career Seminar, Energy Capacity Building, and the EV Revolution Africa projects.