ACEP and SolarTaxi Launch First Cohort of Women‑Focused Green Energy Training in Ghana
The Africa Center for Energy Policy (ACEP), a Ghana‑based policy think tank, partnered with SolarTaxi to deliver the inaugural Green Energy Technology Capacity Development Program (GET‑CaDeP). Over four months, 24 young women received hands‑on training in solar photovoltaic systems, electric‑vehicle (EV) technology, and battery storage, followed by industry internships that placed them directly within Ghana’s emerging clean‑energy workforce.
Program Design and Delivery
GET‑CaDeP combined classroom instruction with practical lab work and real‑world project exposure. The curriculum was developed by ACEP’s energy‑policy experts and SolarTaxi’s engineering team, ensuring alignment with both national standards and market needs.
- Duration: Four months (January–April 2024)
- Participants: 24 women aged 18‑30, selected through a competitive application process
- Core Modules: Solar PV design & installation, EV charging infrastructure, battery management systems, safety protocols, and soft‑skills for workplace readiness
- Internship Placement: Partner firms included SolarTaxi, local mini‑grid developers, and the Ghana Energy Commission’s renewable‑energy unit
According to ACEP’s internal monitoring report (April 2024), 92 % of graduates completed the internship component and received positive performance evaluations from host organizations.
Addressing the Gender Gap in Clean Energy
Women remain under‑represented in Ghana’s technical energy sectors. A 2023 World Bank gender‑energy brief noted that females account for less than 15 % of the workforce in solar installation and EV maintenance roles nationwide. By targeting young women, GET‑CaDeP aims to widen the talent pipeline and promote inclusive growth.
Kodzo Yaotse, ACEP’s Policy Director for Petroleum and Conventional Energy, emphasized the program’s intent at the closing ceremony:
“This initiative is a conscious attempt to correct the historic under‑representation of women in Ghana’s clean‑energy and technology fields. Equipping them with market‑ready skills not only expands individual opportunities but also strengthens the sector’s overall capacity.”
Industry Endorsement and Graduate Outlook
Jorge Appiah, CEO of SolarTaxi, praised the cohort’s dedication:
“Seeing these women master complex technical concepts and thrive in real‑world settings reinforces our belief that diversity drives innovation. We encourage them to view this program as a launchpad for leadership roles within Ghana’s energy transition.”
Several graduates have already secured full‑time positions: 8 participants joined SolarTaxi’s field operations team, while others were hired by mini‑grid developers in the Northern and Volta regions.
Broader Implications for Ghana’s Energy Transition
Ghana’s Renewable Energy Master Plan targets 10 % of total electricity generation from solar by 2030. Achieving this goal requires a skilled workforce capable of designing, installing, and maintaining distributed energy resources. Programs like GET‑CaDeP contribute directly to meeting that human‑capital need while advancing gender equity—a factor linked to improved project outcomes in multiple studies (e.g., IRENA, 2022).
Furthermore, the program’s collaboration between a policy think tank (ACEP) and a private‑sector innovator (SolarTaxi) exemplifies a public‑private partnership model that can be replicated for other clean‑energy technologies such as green hydrogen and energy‑efficiency retrofits.
Conclusion
The successful completion of GET‑CaDeP’s first cohort demonstrates how targeted training initiatives can bridge skill gaps, empower under‑represented groups, and support national clean‑energy ambitions. Continued investment in similar programs, coupled with robust monitoring and industry engagement, will be essential to sustain momentum toward a more inclusive and resilient energy future for Ghana.
