Lands Minister pushes for EV training centre to prepare Ghanaian mechanics

Minister of Lands and Natural Resources Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah has urged the creation of a specialized Electric Vehicle (EV) Capacity Building Centre to train Ghanaian mechanics for the burgeoning electric vehicle market. He emphasized the need for Ghana to build technical capacity to support the shift towards cleaner, electric-powered vehicles.

The proposed centre would provide mechanics with the skills required to maintain and repair advanced electric vehicles. Armah-Kofi Buah stressed the necessity of a national effort to create an environment conducive to the EV industry while cultivating the human capital needed for its growth. During a visit to China, he observed Longking, a Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer, noting that China's expertise in EV manufacturing and technology could help Ghana develop local technical skills.

In China, electric heavy-duty vehicles, including those used in mining, ports, factories, and short-haul freight, are growing rapidly. Electric heavy trucks made up 44% of new heavy-truck sales in June 2026, with new-energy heavy-truck sales rising by about 45% in the first quarter of 2026. Technologies like battery swapping, which quickly replaces depleted batteries, could be particularly beneficial for Ghana's mining, haulage, and logistics sectors, where heavy-duty vehicles play a crucial role.

The Minister believes that China's existing EV ecosystem, including battery manufacturing, charging infrastructure, and swapping stations, could provide valuable lessons for Ghana as it transitions to an electric-mobility era.