Bolgatanga: The Energy Commission of Ghana is taking a significant step towards promoting electric mobility in the country, in line with Ghana's target to phase out Internal Combustion Engines (ICEs) by 2070. The Commission is hosting a three-day workshop from February 20, 2026, to finalize the draft Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Infrastructure and Battery Swap Systems Regulations. This move is aimed at establishing safety and technical standards for EV charging infrastructure to align with Ghana's climate and sustainability goals.
According to Ghana News Agency, Ms Joyce Caitlyn Ocansey, the Project Coordinator of the Drive Electric Initiative (DEI) at the Energy Commission, explained that the DEI, launched in 2019, is a key driver of this effort, focusing on promoting electric vehicles for sustainable transport. She stated that DEI's objectives include promoting the alternative and productive use of electricity for vehicular power, preventing Ghana from becoming a dumping ground for ICE vehicles, and ushering in an era of green and sustainable technology to meet climate targets.
Ms Ocansey noted that the Commission had already taken steps to raise awareness and engage stakeholders through workshops and forums, including the E-mobility conference in 2021 and public charging forums in 2022. She emphasized that establishing solar-powered charging stations is a key focus, with the Commission launching a demonstrative grid-interactive solar electric vehicle charging station with battery storage at its premises.
Mr Kennedy Amankwa, the Deputy Director of Energy Efficiency Regulation at the Energy Commission, mentioned that the Commission, as the mandated institution for regulating EV charging stations, worked with the Ghana Standards Authority to develop and gazette standards for these facilities in 2023. The draft regulations, being prepared as a Legislative Instrument for Parliament, aim to enforce adopted standards, ensure conformity to international standards and regulations in the EV market, ensure compatibility, guard against factors affecting the health and safety of customers, and ensure safe transfer of technology.
Professor John Gartchie Gatsi, the Board Chairman of the Energy Commission, outlined that the draft regulations are structured into four key parts, addressing facets of EV infrastructure including residential charging stations; public, commercial, and workplace charging stations; safety requirements for charging stations and battery swap systems; and siting, cabling, and routing of EV charging stations. He stated that passing the draft regulations would empower the Energy Commission to 'effectively regulate and license all aspects of the EV infrastructure value chain, including the manufacturing, assembly, importation, installation, and operation of charging equipment and battery swap systems.'
Furthermore, data gathered from these regulated stations would be instrumental in enhancing the Commission's core mandate of research, planning, and policy regulation, as stipulated in their founding Act. The ongoing workshop, which brings together the Commission's Board and the EV Regulations Working Committee for final review, is part of a broader, inclusive consultative process, including regional stakeholder engagements held in Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi, Ho, and Koforidua. Additionally, industry consultations with key ministries, departments, agencies, and academia; technical reviews conducted by the Energy Commission Technical Committee; and public input solicited through media dissemination will help finetune the entire process.