The German Federal Ministry Economic Cooperation, through its Invest for Jobs Initiative, has presented a 58- passenger capacity (38 seats and 20 standing capacity) electric bus to the Ghana Free Zones Authority (GFZA).
The electric bus is aimed at providing an efficient and environmentally friendly transportation solution for employees and visitors within the Tema Export Processing Zone (TEPZ), while at the same time reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainability.
“Today is a win for Ghana and Germany. This initiative does not only represent our efforts towards a more environmentally responsible and sustainable form of transportation but also our dedication to a better, cleaner future that goes hand-in-hand with the significant industrialization and the creation of decent jobs that we seek to achieve,” explained Country Director of GIZ Ghana Dr. Dirk Aβmann.
He noted that the launch of the electric bus is consistent with GIZ’s goal of creating a cleaner and more sustainable environment, adding that considering how important transportation is to everyday lives, switching to electric vehicles is a real and significant approach to reducing carbon footprint.
He mentioned that GIZ hopes to scale it up in the coming years as the government of Ghana has shown commitment to promoting e-mobility in the 2024 Budget.
Receiving the key to the bus, the deputy CEO of GFZA, Kate Abbeo, noted that a feasibility study conducted within the TEPZ identified employee mobility, training and unavailability of canteen as significant challenges of the enclave which covers about 1200 acres of land.
To ease the movement of the employees, she noted that the Authority has constructed a bus stop and map out bus route within the enclave.
With regards to training, she stated that the Authority has provided training for 1,780 out of 2000 targeted employees. The training was focused on customer service, African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), dealing with fire hazards among others.
She stated that the Authority has also received estimates from contractors awaiting review to enable them (GFZA) to establish about three satellite canteens for the employees within the enclave.
According to the United Nations Environment Programme, Ghana’s transport sector contributes to 47.7% of energy-related emissions. It is expected that voluntary commitments will bring down the emissions by around 15% by 2030.
This means Ghana’s electric mobility agenda would have to be delivered through a range of supportive government policies, private sector partnerships, and strategic investments from international development.
Invest for Jobs, which is the brand of the Special Initiative “Decent Work for a just Transition” works closely with the Ministry of Trade and Industry, affiliate of Ghana Free Zones Authority, and private sector partners-LMI Holdings, among others, to promote the conditions within the Free Zones enclave and to make it more attractive to investors. This joint project aims to create decent employment opportunities through an ecosystem in the Tema Export Processing Zone.
Latest Stories
-
EducationUSA: Ghanaian students in US benefit from $9 million Investment
6 mins -
Elections not about insults; be decent in your speech – Bawumia to Mahama
11 mins -
Reverse osmosis the most reliable way to filter water – Association of Packaged Water Producers
26 mins -
UG SRC Presidential Race: Court ruling has taught me a lot about life – Guru
32 mins -
Peace Council implements measures to ensure peaceful 2024 elections
52 mins -
Staff of banks involved in fraud increases by 46% in 2023; BoG expresses worry
53 mins -
NDC calls for public support for upcoming protest – W/R NDC Secretary
56 mins -
2024/25 GPL: Vision FC secure 2-0 maiden GPL win against Accra Lions
58 mins -
I didn’t pull a gun at DRIP commissioning – Gomoa West MP refutes allegations
59 mins -
Galamsey: Current effort doesn’t match the scale of crisis – Kenneth Ashigbey
1 hour -
I fasted and prayed for days – Ama K. Abebrese recounts how she got ‘Beast of No Nation’ role
2 hours -
Societe Generale Ghana unveils “Home Sweet Loan” mortgage product
2 hours -
Rebuttal to article on ECG’s compliance with the Cash Waterfall Mechanism
2 hours -
Money lost through fraud cases in financial sector increased by 7% in 2023 to hit GH¢88m –BoG
2 hours -
Not all packaged water is wholesome – Water Resource Engineer
2 hours