Science & Technology

Source: Connielove Mawutornyo Dzodzegbe

 

The Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, has announced the government’s plan to license the satellite internet network Starlink to operate in Ghana.

According to her, this was part of the government’s efforts to address the internet disruption in the country.

Briefing Parliament on the issue of internet disruptions on March 18, she said “We have licensed satellite gateway air stations, landing rights, and satellite air station networks. One web has already been licensed. Starlink is in the process of being licensed and other operators are being encouraged to land in Ghana.

“We must also invest in operationalising RASCOM, the Regional African Satellite Company, instead of each country going alone.”

She advised organisations to take cues from these internet disruptions and store their content, databases, applications, and services in at least two tier-three or tier-four data centers in the country, located at different locations.

Ursula Owusu-Ekuful

Additionally, she recommended making use of the National Data Center as either their primary or backup recovery data host.

Before the recent internet disruption, the minister said her outfit did not have the framework for licensing satellites; however, over the years, it has equipped itself with the requisite knowledge to license these satellites.

“The NCA did not have a framework for licensing satellites but the Authority has in the last year concluded bench-marking and learning from other jurisdictions where this has been implemented. Currently, they have developed a satellite licensing framework in Ghana which has been approved by its board and awaiting the final policy approval.

“This framework will provide the policies and rules relating to the application for frequency authorisations for satellite services in Ghana. It outlines the various categories of satellite services, the licensing requirements, and its associated fees,” she added.

In December 2023, the ministry cautioned the public to desist from purchasing items from Starlink since it was not licensed in Ghana.

The notice said,“Any entity which provides electronic communication services in Ghana without a Licence or Authorisation from the NCA is in direct violation of Section 3(1) of the Electronic Communications Act 2008, Act 775 which states that, ‘Except as otherwise provided under this Act a person shall not operate a public electronic communications service or network or provide a voice telephony service without a licence granted by the Authority’.

In this light, Madam Owusu-Ekuful assured that the ministry had performed due diligence and is ready to offer an operating license to the company to help improve access to internet.

“A draft framework was subjected to industry consultation and approved by industry. The objective of the framework is to provide increased regulatory oversight for the services, more connectivity solutions or options for consumers, and other measures,” she added.

She, however noted that the service offered by Starlink was expensive. She thus assured that there were plans to engage other sector players to cater to individuals across different economic streams.

“However, I must remind us all that the fee charged by the satellite, low-earth orbit satellite operators like Starlink for hardware and services show that they will cater for high-end value subscribers because they are expensive.

“We’re currently also having discussions about affordable back-haul satellite solutions with all satellite service providers under the auspices of the ITU. This conversation has been ongoing for a while, but I believe what has happened in the recent past will activate and energise these discussions for solutions to be reached soon.”

 

Source: tntnewspapergh.com

In a move that has echoed through Ghana’s environmental and conservation circles, Dr. Henry Kwabena Kokofu Esq. has bid farewell to his role as the Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) after an illustrious tenure marked by significant accomplishments and lasting impact.

Dr. Kokofu, widely regarded as a visionary and passionate advocate for environmental sustainability, officially concluded his tenure at the EPA amidst accolades and commendations from stakeholders both locally and internationally.

His departure from the Agency has stirred a mixture of emotions, as he leaves behind a legacy of transformative initiatives and unwavering dedication to environmental stewardship.

During his tenure at the helm of the EPA, Dr. Kokofu spearheaded several groundbreaking initiatives that garnered recognition both locally and internationally. With his collaborative effort, Parliament passed the Environmental Protection Bill 2023, that established the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to regulate, protect, and exercise general oversight and coordination over all matters relating to the environment and climate change.

Dr.Henry Kwabena Kokofu

Under his stewardship, the agency made significant strides in enhancing environmental regulations, promoting sustainable development, and fostering collaborative partnerships to address pressing environmental challenges.

 

One of Dr. Kokofu’s noteworthy achievements was the successful implementation of initiatives aimed at tackling environmental degradation and promoting biodiversity conservation. His strategic efforts to safeguard Ghana’s rich natural heritage and ensure the sustainable management of its ecological resources have left an indelible mark on the country’s environmental landscape.

Additionally, Dr. Kokofu’s tenure witnessed a strong emphasis on public engagement and environmental education, seeking to raise awareness and cultivate a culture of environmental responsibility among citizens, through media engagements and capacity building.

Through innovative awareness campaigns and community outreach programs, he endeavored to foster a sense of environmental consciousness and foster a collective commitment to preserving Ghana’s natural splendor for future generations.

In addition to his domestic endeavors, Dr. Kokofu was instrumental in advancing Ghana’s global standing in environmental diplomacy, advocating for the nation’s interests in international forums and contributing to the formulation of progressive environmental policies on the global stage. His dedication to promoting sustainable development and environmental protection has earned him admiration and respect on the international front. As the Special Envoy toClimate Vulnerable Forum (CVF), he played a crucial role in the establishment of independent secretariat for the CVF and the V20 in Ghana.

Reflecting on his departure, Dr. Kokofu expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead the EPA and underscored his unwavering commitment to advancing environmental causes. “It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as the Executive Director of the EPA. I am immensely proud of the strides we have taken in championing environmental conservation and fostering sustainable practices. While my tenure at the agency draws to a close, my commitment to environmental stewardship remains steadfast, and I am confident that the EPA will continue to thrive under the capable leadership that will succeed me,” remarked Dr. Kokofu.

As Dr. Kokofu bids farewell to his role at the EPA, the nation’s environmental community commends his exceptional leadership and outstanding contributions to environmental protection and conservation.

Looking ahead, he anticipates that the new Executive Director will carry the torch of environmental advocacy forward and steer the EPA toward new frontiers of sustainable development and environmental protection.

Source:Isaac Amoah/tntnewspapergh.com

MTN Group and Huawei signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a Joint Innovation Technology Lab, aiming to deepen cooperation in technological innovation. The signing ceremony, which was held at MWC Barcelona, Spain was attended by senior delegations from MTN and Huawei.

 

This strategic partnership will see the creation of an Innovation Technology Lab at MTN Group’s headquarters in South Africa. The lab will serve as a neutral platform for collaboration within the Africa’s digital ecosystem, accelerating the development, deployment and adoption of innovative digital solutions driven across the continent.

 

Together, the two companies will leverage this initiative to focus their research and development efforts on key areas such as 5G and beyond, Artificial Intelligence, Big Data analytics, cloud computing, and digital financial services. The partnership aims to accelerate the time-to-market of MTN’s products and services while addressing the unique challenges faced in Africa, including improving network coverage in rural areas, enhancing energy efficiency, and affordability.

MTN & Huawei Joint Innovation Lab MoU Signing Ceramony at MWC Barcelona

Additionally, MTN’s operational teams will actively participate in the innovation process, ensuring the solutions developed directly address real-world challenges and drive meaningful digital transformation and sustainable development in Africa.

 

Group Chief Technology and Information Officer Mazen Mroue expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership stating, “The Joint Innovation Technology Lab is more than a partnership between two companies; it’s an investment in the growth of Africa’s digital ecosystem. We believe that collaboration is essential for developing solutions that truly meet the continent’s needs, and this Lab will pave the way for a more inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous future for Africa.”

 

Li Peng, Huawei’s Corporate Senior Vice President and President of ICT Sales & Service, said, “Huawei will continue innovating with MTN to ensure they have the products and solutions required to best serve Africa’s unique market. This will not only give MTN a competitive edge in terms of network quality, user experience, and rapid deployment, but also help MTN achieve their own business objectives. We believe that this newly-established lab will help supercharge both MTN’s R&D as well as Africa’s digital economy, bringing more prosperity to the African continent.“

 

This partnership further demonstrates MTN and Huawei’s shared commitment to shaping Africa’s digital landscape, opening new pathways for innovation and digital inclusion, and economic growth.

 

 

 

End.

 

About Huawei

Founded in 1987, Huawei is a leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices. We have 207,000 employees and we operate in more than 170 countries and regions, serving more than three billion people around the world.

 

Our vision and mission is to bring digital to every person, home and organization for a fully connected, intelligent world. To this end, we will work towards ubiquitous connectivity and inclusive network access, laying the foundation for an intelligent world; provide diversified computing power where you need it, when you need it, to bring cloud and intelligence to all four corners of the earth; build digital platforms to help all industries and organizations become more agile, efficient, and dynamic; and redefine user experience with AI, making it smarter and more personalized for people in all aspects of their life, whether they are at home, on the go, in the office, having fun, or working out.

 

For more information,

Visit Huawei online at www.huawei.com  

 

Follow Huawei on:

http://www.linkedin.com/company/Huawei

http://www.twitter.com/Huawei

http://www.facebook.com/Huawei

http://www.youtube.com/Huawei

 

Source: Prince Adu-Owusu

 

President Nana Akufo-Addo has described the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) as a “digitalisation” government.

According to him, the transformative policies undertaken by his administration for the past seven years were successfully spearheaded by his “indefatigable” Vice President, Dr Mahamadu Bawumia.

Delivering the State of the Nation Address (SONA) in Parliament on February 27, President Akufo-Addo described him as “Dr Digitalisation”.

He explained that despite the financial crisis the country encountered in the past years, the NPP government has made it possible to showcase an array of developmental projects through digitalisation.

According to President Akufo-Addo, the 2024 flagbearer of the NPP is set to launch a system which will help Ghanaians track all government projects.

“We are calling it the Performance Tracker. You can check and satisfy yourself about the status of the projects and their location, and you could stop by and make a physical inspection if you were so minded.

“Mr Speaker, if you want to check on roads, classroom blocks or CHPs compounds or Agenda 111 hospitals, or bridges, or science laboratories, or water projects, or sanitation projects, or landing sites and harbours, and other infrastructural projects, or whatever this Government used your tax money to execute, the key to your query is right there on your phone,” he said.

Dr.Mahamdu Bawumia
President Akufo-Addo further explained that the Performance Tracker will be formally launched in March, stating that it would help bring accountability to Ghanaians.

“I am able to recommend the Performance Tracker in the sure knowledge that the Akufo-Addo Government has done more in education in terms of student enrolment, teacher training and employment, provision of infrastructure, than any government; we have similarly done more in health, agriculture, security, roads, railways, tourism, digitalisation than any other Government.

 

“Thanks to the Performance Tracker, the President no longer has to go through lists, and I have the confidence to say that every performance indicator used shows we have done more in these seven (7) years than in any of the eight (8) years under the NDC.”

President Akufo-Addo said his administration has modernise and formalise the economy through digitalisation and embarked on one of the most far-reaching digitalisation exercises in Africa.

“Up from the figure of nine hundred thousand (900,000), which we inherited when we came into office in 2017, we have, thus far, enrolled 17.6 million on the Ghanacard, and, therefore, provided unique biometric identity to the majority of Ghanaians. We have also implemented a digital property address system with unique addresses for all properties in Ghana.”

Regarding the implementation of mobile money interoperability, President Akufo-Addo stated that the government has provided access to financial services for adult Ghanaians through mobile money accounts that are linked with bank accounts.

“Ghana is now ranked number one in Africa in terms of access to financial inclusion. We have digitalised the provision of public services at the ports, DVLA, NHIS, GRA, Births and Deaths, Registrar of Companies, ECG, Ghana Water, amongst others.

“Ghana is ranked number one in West Africa and number seven in Africa in e-Governance. We have also implemented the use of drones in the delivery of medicines, blood and vaccines, and Ghana currently runs the world’s largest medical drone delivery service.

“We have also networked all teaching, regional and district hospitals and patient records can easily be accessed in these hospitals without the need for a folder,” the President said.

He emphasised that Ghana is making giant strides in the area of digitalisation, thereby improving transparency, accountability and efficiency in the public sector, and accelerating the growth of the economy.

“We are definitely going to be part of the digital revolution that is sweeping the world,” the President noted.

Source: Kingsley E.Hope

In the vast expanse of technological innovation, the name Dr. Eric Gyamfi stands out as a beacon of brilliance and resilience.

A Ghanaian-born computer scientist, Dr. Gyamfi’s journey is not merely a tale of personal triumph but a testament to Africa’s untapped potential in the realm of technology.

Dr. Eric Gyamfi

His remarkable achievements and unwavering dedication to pushing the boundaries of innovation serve as an inspiration to aspiring tech enthusiasts across the continent.

 

At the heart of Dr. Gyamfi’s legacy lies his ground-breaking work as the architect behind Ghana’s first-ever electronic voting system.

This revolutionary system, developed under his guidance, was deployed for the Sunyani Technical University Student Representative Council (SRC) elections, facilitating the democratic process for over 5000 student voters.

 

Dr. Eric Gyamfi

 

 

The Women’s Organizer for the UK’s branch of Friends of Bawumia (FOB), Mrs Victoria Adjepong-Boafo, says Ghana will be transformed when Dr Alhaji Mohammadu Bawumiah, is given the mandate to rule the country

According to her, Dr. Bawumia has the capacity to embark on digitalisation projects to help develop the country, describing his vision of digitalisation as the best economic tool to move Ghana forward.

Mrs Adjepong-Boafo, popularly known as Queenie Vee, was speaking to a section of the media after the maiden meeting of the UK’s branch of FOB in London.

Mrs Victoria Adjepong-Boafo,

According to Queenie Vee, Ghana can never be transformed without modernising the economy therefore, the measures put in place by Dr Bawumia are laudable and commendable

Mrs Adjepong-Boafo, who is a Deputy Manager for Children Services in UK, disclosed that developed countries like the UK, and others have computerized their systems, making it extremely difficult for people to indulge in corruptible practices.

She commended the Vice President for introducing mobile interoperability, TIN number, and Ghana card, which can be compared to other documents in the UK and other developed countries.

‘I have worked with children and young people in the UK for 13 years and only took part in active politics because of the vision of His Excellency Dr Bawumia to digitalize the Ghanaian economy. ‘ Queenie Vee confessed.

Dr.Baeumia and Mrs Victoria Adjepong-Boafo

She noted that any attempt to vote against Dr. Bawumia in the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections will deeply affect the country’s development.

Mrs Adjepong-Boafo, therefore, urged Ghanaians to collectively rally behind the ruling party and vote massively for Dr Bawumia to lead the country.

 

Source:Citi Newsroom

Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has highlighted the positive impact of the government’s digitalization agenda on the Ghanaian economy at the 20th Ghana Club 100 Awards.

The NPP flagbearer emphasized that the government’s digitalization agenda is tackling corruption in government services like passport acquisition and port clearance by reducing human intervention through the Ghana Card identity system.

Bawumia also recognized the crucial role of the private sector in economic development and reiterated the government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

Reflecting on the challenges posed by an informal economy characterized by indisciplined practices, Dr Bawumia highlighted the various issues, including corruption, lawlessness, tax evasion, and identity fraud.

To counter these challenges and unlock the economy’s potential, Dr Bawumia said the government embarked on a comprehensive formalization process, heavily relying on digitalization.

“You look at an economy in the informal sense which turned to be undisciplined, the society is undisciplined because the economy is informal and there are no consequences for bad actions, you have a society where corruption prevails, you have lawlessness, you have a tax dodging society, you have an unbanked society, you have a loan repayment dodging society, identity fraud, people assuming identities of others, lack of address systems, age cheating, fake insurance, fake birth certificates, fake passports, no functional address systems, ghost workers on government payrolls.

Dr.Mahamadu Bawumia

“These ills of the informal economy that we really inherited made it very difficult for the economy to transform to its potential. That is why we set out to formalize the economy to make sure that the economy works in a transparent system. That area of formalization of the economy we realized heavily on digitalization of the economy to formalize the economy.

“This is why we have been moving sturdily and we have made a lot of progress in this particular area. Of course, the anchor for the digitalization programme has been the Ghana Card that we issued. Today, we have enrolled over a 17million people on the Ghana Card, today we have linked all bank accounts to the Ghana Card, and linked all SIM cards to the Ghana Card, TIN is your Ghana Card number, NHIS number is your Ghana Card number, today we have linked the Ghana Card to the Controller and Accountant General Department payroll. Today we are increasing this formalization of the economy as a result of digitalisation, we are digitalizing all government services through Ghana.gov.gh and so on.

“All these bring transparency and that helps businesses, it makes the system clearer, it reduces corruption because you can get services without actually going to meet anybody who will demand a bribe.”

The Spokesperson and Economic Adviser to the Vice President, Dr Gideon Boako has challenged Bright Simons and Franklin Cudjoe to apologize for some misleading comments they made regarding Vice President Bawumia’s statement on the credit scoring system in Ghana.

While addressing the 57th graduation of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) last week, Vice President Bawumia extolled the many usefulness of the Ghana card in helping the country establish a robust credit scoring system to track and uniquely identify all borrowers.

But in a sharp response, the Vice President of IMANI Africa, a Think Tank, downplayed the accuracy of the information put out by the Vice President.

This was backed by other leaders of IMANI, including its President, Franklin Cudjoe.

The two made references to a credit bureau company, XDSDATA Ghana Limited, arguing that the agency has the system the Vice President was talking about already in place.

However, XDSData Ghana Limited, a leading credit bureau in Ghana, has clarified through a press release that it has not produced individual credit scores in the country.

In view of this, Dr. Boako, in a separate post on Twitter and Facebook, challenged the two to eat the humble pie and apologise to the many Facebook and Twitter users their comments reached.

 

 

According to the Managing Director of XDSData, George K. Ahiafor, Ghana Card penetration, a potential unique identifier, is currently at 35%, as indicated by tracking from the Bank of Ghana (BoG).

Mr. Ahiafor anticipates that XDSData will start releasing individual credit scores when Ghana Card penetration reaches 90%, hopefully by the end of the year 2024.

Presently, facilities are accessed using various forms of identification, making it challenging for the bureau to capture a credit subject’s total exposure accurately.

However, Mr. Ahiafor emphasized that XDSData produces credit information comparable to international credit bureaus, providing adequate data for lenders to make informed credit decisions.

He disclosed that the mandatory use of the Ghana Card for all financial transactions since July 1, 2022, has led to Data Providers submitting Ghana Card information to the bureau.

He said credit scoring models require unique identifiers for comprehensive mapping of information, and the slow pace of Ghana Card information penetration remains a challenge.

Mr. Ahiafor highlighted the importance of active participation and support from the Bank of Ghana to ensure credit bureaus receive adequate Ghana Card data from Data Providers.

He explained that this collaborative effort aims to incorporate all aspects of the credit ecosystem into scoring calculations.

Meanwhile, Ghana is set to introduce a credit scoring system for individuals next year, with the Ghana Card becoming the anchor for the credit system.

Vice-President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has indicated ongoing discussions with Ghanaian automobile companies to enable citizens to purchase cars on credit, with Solar Taxi being one of the companies participating in the initiative.

The planned credit scoring system is expected to provide a credible credit history, enhancing trust and discipline in the financial sector.
The announcement has generated serious debate in the country with some claiming that individual credit scores is being done already necessitating XDSData to set the record straight .

In the complex world of personal finance, a numerical representation known as a credit score holds immense power in shaping an individual’s financial journey.

This score, a depiction of one’s creditworthiness, is derived from a careful analysis of various factors: repayment history, types of loans, length of credit history, debt utilization, credit mix, and whether an individual has applied for new accounts.

A credit score plays a key role in a lender’s decision to offer credit and determine associated terms.

Lenders use an individual’s credit score to assess eligibility for products like mortgages, personal loans, and credit cards, influencing the interest rates they will pay.

The significance of a credit score in an individual’s financial life cannot be overstated.

A higher credit score enhances the likelihood of loan approval and secures more favorable interest rates.

Conversely, lower credit scores may lead to declined loan applications or higher interest rates.

Lenders are inclined to approve individuals with higher credit scores for loans with lower interest rates, reflecting a perception of lower risk.

On the contrary, those with lower scores may face challenges in obtaining credit or may encounter less favorable terms.

Understanding the dynamics of credit scores empowers individuals to make informed financial decisions.

Regularly monitoring one’s credit report, ensuring accuracy, and actively working towards improving creditworthiness can have a profound impact on long-term financial well-being.

In essence, a higher credit score not only opens doors to financial opportunities but also translates into potential savings over time.

 

Source: Emmanuella Sarfo-Ntow

Former Minister of Environment, Science, and Technology, Prof Boateng Frimpong, has expressed concern about the potential health risks associated with consuming vegetables cultivated in mining regions.

He emphasized the importance of implementing phytoremediation as a good practice, urging the Minister of Agriculture to consider this approach.

Prof Frimpong made these comments at the JoyNews National Dialogue on Illegal Mining held at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra.

Prof.Kwabena Frimpong Boateng speaking at the  Joynews Nat’L Dialogue

Speaking on the theme ‘Exploring radical solutions to a national crisis,’ he explained that phytoremediation involves using green plants to eliminate poisons and toxic metals present in contaminated soil, thereby mitigating the harmful effects of pollutants.

“We need to plant certain things that will absorb or take out the poison in the body. So we know that if you plant sunflower, it will absorb magnesium and chromium. Cabbage and broccoli will take care of lead, zinc and cadmium so also water lettuce which will absorb cadmium, mercury, chromium and copper,” he said.

He explained that the Minister of Agriculture should consider incorporating the phytoremediation strategy to preserve the soils as they continue to fight against illegal mining.

Prof Frimpong-Boateng advised residents in illegal mining regions to abstain from both cultivating and consuming vegetables, cautioning that doing so could lead to self-poisoning.

The former minister also disclosed that strategically venturing into affected areas and implementing this planting cycle will help reduce the toxicity levels in the soil over time, contributing to a gradual and sustainable improvement in the soil.

“We think the Minister of Agriculture should look at these things, as we fight illegal mining to go into areas where we can gradually absorb…we have to plant these in cycles. Maybe 10, 20 cycles so that the level of poison will come down.”

 

Government is working on a policy framework to move public transportation from a dependence on petroleum fuels to electric vehicles, Vice President Bawumia has disclosed.

“Where I want to see us go in the next few years is to move public transport completely from a dependence on petrol and diesel to fully electric vehicles. That is really where Ghana ought to go. And it is doable.

We ought to move away from petrol and diesel to electric vehicles as a matter of policy,” Dr Bawumia stated on Wednesday September 27, 2023 when he visited the offices and assembly plant of Solar Taxi, a wholly Ghanaian start up engaged in the assembly and manufacture of electric cars, motorcycles, buses and battery packs for electric cars.

Among the top 3 Electric Vehicle (EV) manufacturing companies in Africa, Solar Taxi, founded in 2019, with a staff strength of 113 (90% of whom are women) and an average age of 26, can also convert petrol or diesel powered vehicles into electricity powered ones, with the technology to convert cars and buses also available, according to Jorge Appiah, CEO and Co-Founder. Solar taxi has assembled over 460 vehicles and sold over 500 vehicles, with orders for vehicles, battery packs and training in the maintenance of EVs coming from all over the continent.

Solar Taxi also operates a ride-hailing service, as well as a motorcycle leasing and vehicle sales model anchored on the Ghana Card. Through its bankers, the company provides financing options for its motorcycles, cars and buses, to be paid for over time, without collateral. All they require is a Ghanacard ID

Mr Appiah disclosed this while riding in one of the company’s EV buses, which can travel from Accra to Kumasi without need for a recharge of the batteries, with Vice President Bawumia and the heads of STC, Metro Mass, Aayalolo, as well as officials of the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Road Safety Commission.

Fuel, Transportation

“The whole issue of climate change, energy transition and moving away from dependence on fossil fuels to more green energy is very important for us because as you know, we spend a lot on fossil fuel. But the other thing that is very, very important for Ghanaian households and individuals is the high cost of transportation.

“If you look at the cost of transport in Ghana, there are two elements that dominate the pricing formula for transport: fuel and spare parts. Now, with what you are doing with electric vehicles generally, I mean, the fuel costs really becomes very minimal.

“And then because of the nature of the engines for electric vehicles, its very low maintenance. So with these two elements, you will reduce the cost of transport very significantly. So to deal with one of the aspects of the cost of living increase that Ghanaians are facing on a sustainable basis, we need to really, as a matter of policy, say that, look, let’s move away from the dependence on fossil fuels, petrol and diesel, to electric vehicles and make sure we can make it happen. Are the charging stations available? Let’s make it happen. It’s possible.”

TVET
Acknowledging that it may not be a “smooth transition,” Vice President Bawumia nevertheless argued that “the benefit for Ghana – lower prices of transport, savings on foreign exchange, job creation, opportunities to train – far outweigh any such challenges.

“For example, you could really help the TVET institutions design a curriculum in terms of EV maintenance and so on, because as we move and see more adoption of EVs, you’ll need more people who can maintain,” he suggested.

Pointing out that that the cost of fuel and transport are the two of the main drivers of inflation, in Ghana, with a rise in them having implications on other variables like the exchange rate, cost of food and utilities, Dr Bawumia commended the founders of Solar Taxi for their commitment to entrepreneurship.

“We as a country really have to believe that it is possible to leapfrog many of the advanced countries in the area of technology. In the area of electric vehicle manufacturing, I think we have a bit of a comparative advantage in Africa and in in Ghana compared to the more advanced countries.

“But what really will make it happen is people who have the ideas, who have the dedication like you, who have thought through this, who value chain in this whole enterprise.

You have been able to put something together. From our point of view as a country, we are very interested in your success. Very, very, very interested. And we are even more delighted that it is the youth who have taken up the mantle of entrepreneurship. We as government will collaborate with and provide the support you and others like you need to deal with any bottlenecks,” the Vice President assured.