John Darko
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Suame, John Darko, has called on the government to urgently develop and fund retraining programmes for mechanics and artisans in the automotive industry to avert massive job losses as country transitions to electric vehicles (EVs).
He said the global shift towards electric mobility, while beneficial to the environment, poses a serious threat to the livelihoods of thousands of skilled workers at Suame Magazine, the country’s largest auto-mechanical hub.
“The world is fast moving towards electric vehicles, and in the next few years, their numbers will outstrip those of combustion engine vehicles,” Mr. Darko cautioned during an exclusive interview with DAILY GUIDE.
“This change has clear environmental benefits, but it also comes with painful consequences. Many artisans who depend on repairing and maintaining combustion engine vehicles will lose their jobs if we don’t act now,” Mr. Darko stated.
The MP explained that the design of electric vehicles eliminates many components that mechanics traditionally service such as pistons, gaskets, and oil filters, meaning that workers who specialise in these areas could soon become redundant.
“An electric car doesn’t need an oil change; it doesn’t use gaskets or pistons. So, those who depend on fixing these parts will lose their source of income,” he said.
He, therefore, urged the government to invest in retraining programmes that equip artisans with the technical skills required to handle electric vehicles, including diagnosing and repairing electrical systems and components.
“Government must take practical steps now because unemployment is already a big problem. Introducing technologies that will further reduce available jobs without providing alternatives will worsen the situation,” he warned.
Mr. Darko further encouraged local innovation and small-scale manufacturing within the Suame industrial enclave, suggesting that artisans begin developing and producing some of the tools and components used in vehicle repair, to reduce dependence on imports and create new employment opportunities.
“Suame Magazine can become a centre for manufacturing specific parts needed for electric vehicles. We should not import everything. If we start making some of these tools locally, there will still be jobs for our people,” he proposed.
While acknowledging the environmental advantages of electric vehicles, such as reduced carbon and nitrogen emissions, Mr. Darko expressed concern that the transition could have long-term economic implications for oil-producing countries like Ghana.
He noted that as major economies abandon fossil fuels, African oil exporters risk ending up with stranded assets, unused petroleum reserves with declining global value.
“We have to find a way to balance the shift towards electric vehicles with the need to still benefit from our oil resources,” he argued.
The Suame MP, therefore, urged policymakers to adopt a balanced and strategic transition plan that protects local industries, sustains employment, and ensures the country derives full value from its energy resources.
“This future is inescapable. Electric vehicles are coming whether we like it or not. But the government must prepare our people for it by retraining them, supporting them, and making sure they are not left behind,” he noted.
By Ernest Kofi Adu, Parliament House