UEW, Arc Ride Ghana Hold Talks on Green Mobility and Skills Development

Presenting the proposal, Dr. Richard Agjei, Coordinator at UEW’s Directorate of Research, Innovation and Development (DRID), underscored the urgent need to transition Ghana’s transport system from a fossil fuel-dependent model to a green, technology-driven ecosystem. He noted that the absence of a skilled EV workforce and accredited training programmes remains a major barrier to the country’s transition to electric mobility.

He explained that the GreenMoSE project aims to establish Ghana’s first nationally accredited green mobility skills and enterprise hub at UEW in collaboration with industry partners such as Arc Ride. He indicated that the initiative is expected to generate over 600 formal sector jobs and train more than 2,400 certified professionals within five years. The initiative is expected to significantly reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 60,000 tonnes annually.

Dr. Agjei outlined four key training tracks under the project: EV bus operations and battery services, green transport and fleet management, climate-adapted logistics and green enterprise development. He stressed that aligning the programme with the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (Co-TVET) framework would ensure national accreditation and sustainability.

He further highlighted the critical role expected of Arc Ride Ghana Limited, particularly in providing technical expertise, supporting curriculum development and committing to the establishment of over 30 battery swap stations across Ghana. He stated that the partnership would also facilitate the absorption of trained graduates into the company’s operational ecosystem, thereby formalising a largely informal transport workforce and extending social protection benefits such as SSNIT and health insurance.

In addition, Dr. Agjei noted that the collaboration would offer Arc Ride a unique opportunity to scale its operations in Ghana with minimal training and recruitment costs while strengthening its position as a leading electric mobility provider on the continent.

Mr. David Kotei Nikoi, the Managing Director of Arc Ride Ghana Limited, expressed optimism about the initiative. He described it as timely and aligned with emerging trends in the mobility sector. He indicated that the company which assembles electric bikes and operates battery-swapping networks, recognises the immense growth potential within Ghana’s evolving transport and delivery ecosystem.  

Mr. Nikoi, who previously played a key role in scaling ride-hailing operations in Ghana, acknowledged that the EV market in the country is still at an early stage but holds significant promise. He assured the UEW delegation that Arc Ride would carefully review the proposal, taking into account its cost-benefit implications and tight submission timelines and revert with feedback to facilitate a possible partnership.

Prof. Enoch F. Sam, the Director of DRID, reaffirmed UEW’s commitment to strengthening industry-academia collaborations as a pathway to innovation and national development. He emphasised that such partnerships are critical to equipping students with relevant, market-driven skills while contributing to broader societal transformation.

He expressed confidence that the proposed collaboration with Arc Ride would not only enhance UEW’s research and training capacity but also support Ghana’s transition to a sustainable and inclusive transport system.

The engagement forms part of UEW’s broader strategy to deepen stakeholder partnerships and position itself as a leader in technical and vocational education, innovation and green development in Ghana and beyond.