Twenty-four young Ghanaian women have completed intensive training in solar energy, electric vehicle systems and battery technology under the Green Energy Technology Capacity Development Program, marking what organisers describe as an important step towards building a more inclusive clean energy workforce.
The initiative, jointly implemented by the Africa Centre for Energy Policy and Solar Taxi, celebrated the graduation of its first cohort on July 8 after months of classroom instruction and practical industry placements.
The graduates also undertook internships with Solar Taxi and other partners, gaining hands-on experience in technologies that are increasingly shaping Ghana's renewable energy and transport sectors.
For a field that has traditionally attracted few women, the graduation represented something larger than certificates and photographs. It reflected a deliberate attempt to change who gets to participate in the country's energy future.
Creating opportunities beyond the classroom
Speaking at the ceremony, ACEP's Policy Lead for Petroleum and Conventional Energy, Kodzo Yaotse, said the programme was designed to address the persistent underrepresentation of women in technical and energy-related careers.
He praised the graduates for embracing a challenging programme that pushed them beyond familiar boundaries.
"This initiative was a deliberate response to the underrepresentation of women in Ghana's clean energy and technology space," he said, urging participants to see the training as only the beginning of a longer professional journey.
He encouraged them to pursue leadership roles and contribute not only as technicians but also as future policymakers capable of shaping Ghana's evolving energy sector.
The programme combines technical instruction with workplace experience, a model organisers believe better prepares participants for employment in an industry where practical skills are increasingly in demand.
Industry promises continued support
Solar Taxi Chief Executive Officer Jorge Appiah described the graduates as a valuable source of talent for Ghana's growing electric mobility industry.
He congratulated the participants for completing the programme and assured them that the company would continue helping them connect with employment and business opportunities.
According to him, the clean energy sector needs skilled professionals capable of supporting the country's transition to sustainable transport and renewable energy technologies.
He added that the graduates represent expertise "the sector could not afford to overlook."
Changing perceptions about technical careers
For many of the graduates, the programme reshaped long-held assumptions.
University of Ghana graduate Patricia Benambah, who studied English, admitted she once believed engineering belonged only to a select group of people.
"Engineering can be studied by anyone," she said, explaining that the training had completely changed her perspective on technical education.
Another graduate, Laura Awusine Nyaabire, described the programme as a second chance after financial constraints prevented her from pursuing university education since completing senior high school in 2017.
She said the skills she had acquired now give her confidence that she can contribute meaningfully to Ghana's green economy despite not having followed the traditional academic path.
Building an inclusive energy future
The Green Energy Technology Capacity Development Program forms part of ACEP's wider efforts to promote inclusive energy governance while supporting Ghana's transition to cleaner technologies.
Organisers say additional cohorts are planned as the partnership continues expanding opportunities for women interested in renewable energy, battery systems and electric mobility.
As Ghana invests more heavily in clean transport and renewable power, programmes like GET-CaDeP are beginning to redefine who participates in the sector, proving that talent, not gender or educational background, will increasingly shape the country's green economy.
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