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William Nana Acheampong set for the emerging EV market with multipurpose charging station
William Nana Acheampong
Electric vehicles (EV) are currently on high demand globally and one of the emerging markets is Ghana, with many beginning to shift attention to its usage.
One challenge however has been charging stations for the vehicles especially when it becomes very dominant in the country.
In addressing the challenge, 20-year-old student of the African University College of Communications (AUCC) William Nana Acheampong, has taken a huge step in designing a multipurpose solar-powered charging station which would soon take the EV industry by storm.
Nana Acheampong is currently partnering with the EV Founders, Sabrina Mensah Bonsu and Fouad Nadine to develop the stations in Ghana and possibly across the globe.
The groundbreaking innovation attracted the attention of EV Founders after Nana Acheampong made a presentation at a recently held EV conference in Ghana.
Hopefully within a year, with the right investments, the charging stations would be commissioned in Ghana and set for the EV market.
The Journey
After completing GHANATA Senior High School (SHS) in 2021, Nana Acheampong in his desperation to look for a job and take care of himself through school, he landed at KFC in Osu where he served as a cashier.
The last born of five was eager to attain tertiary education since none of his siblings furthered their education due to financial challenges.
He later gained admission to the AUCC and combined education with working at the KFC, before joining the delivery business after quitting his first job.
Nana Acheampong then began using an electric bike from Wahu Mobility and engaged in the delivery business with Glovo and currently with Bolt.
Using the electric bike, Nana Acheampong noticed that there were no electric charging stations around and had to charge from home and go back when it runs down, which was affecting his business.
The idea of creating a charging station to ensure comfort for people using electric bikes was birthed, since it was very expensive to import one into the country.
His association with Bolt was the beginning of greater things to happen when he chanced upon the Bolt Acceleration Programme aimed at empowering a dynamic group of Ghanaian entrepreneurs to transform their bold ideas linked to sustainable transport to life.
With no technical background as he studied General Arts in SHS and after research and sleepless nights, he managed to design the charging station using the Nema 14-50 outlet and presented his idea at the pitching session which had over 100 people under the bolt programme.
The multipurpose charging station which has a shelter and a booth or kiosk for swiping, would be used for charging cars, bikes, scooters and even electronic gadgets. It is currently the only designed multipurpose charging station in Ghana and perhaps the continent.
His design eventually won the Most Innovative Idea at the 2024 Bolt Acceleration Programme and rewarded 2000 Euros and a certificate.
Nana Acheampong is currently looking for substantial funding to officially build the charging stations across the country and welcoming investors.
“This is an innovation from Ghana which must be supported. In most cases, persons in the diaspora are those paying attention to these innovations but Ghanaians and Africans must begin to invest in their own,” he stated.
“Young people have great ideas but do not have the support to develop same which is very demoralizing. For example, China the fastest growing economy in terms of EV has most of the innovators championed by young people and receiving funds from investors. This could be replicated in Ghana which would help the innovation space as Ghana is looking forward to going into the EV market which would contribute addressing climate change,” he stressed.
“It is high time the young people are allowed to contribute to development. Ghana is moving to a more electronic future which cost efficient and promote environmental sustainability as compared to fuel vehicles,” he added.
Nana Acheampong is also looking forward to creating shops that would sell EV parts since there is none currently in Ghana.
He expressed appreciation to Bolt for the support and exposure and urged other young people to take advantage of such initiatives.
Nana Acheampong enjoys cool moments at the beach alone, listening to music, sharing drinks and good moments with friends.
Jollof is his go-to food but loves banku with grilled tilapia. He is a Christian with the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC) Zoe Temple, Tema Community 5.
He urged young people not to give up but continue chasing their dreams, find ways to improve their skills so they would excel when the opportunities come.
By Michael D. Abayateye & Jemima E. Kuatsinu
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Youth urged to take proactive stance on ozone depletion
•Mr Joseph Amankwah, first counting from, some officials from EPA and UNDP in group picture with the student
Mr Joseph Amankwah, the Director of Ozone Layer and Climate Change at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has urged the youth to take a proactive stance on issues related to ozone depletion, emphasising that their future would be most affected by its consequences.
Speaking during a student engagement event at the Ghana Secondary School (GHANASS) in Koforidua, he highlighted the critical role young people played in tackling climate-related challenges.
Mr Amankwah explained that human activities, such as the use of certain chemicals, were significantly contributing to the depletion of the ozone layer and driving climate change.
He said it was important to educate the youth on these issues, encouraging them to share this knowledge with their families to foster a broader understanding and active participation in climate action.
He urged the education sector to integrate lessons on the ozone layer, the causes of its depletion, and its links to climate change into the curriculum.
The event, organised by the EPA in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), was designed to foster environmental awareness and promote a sense of responsibility among young people.
Mr Amankwah noted that ozone layer depletion was affecting everyone, including children, as it alters weather patterns and threatens the natural environment.
He highlighted the need for young people to develop ‘green skills’ to adapt to the challenges of climate change and to understand ways to combat it.
He added that World Ozone Day, observed every September, would focus on youth engagement in environmental issues, to help them understand the long-term consequences of ozone depletion and climate change.
Mr Amankwah also discussed the harmful impact of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), a major chemical contributor to ozone depletion.
He explained that household appliances such as refrigerators and air conditioners were common sources of CFC emissions in Ghana.
Many uncertified technicians work on these appliances, often releasing harmful chemicals into the atmosphere due to improper handling, he noted.
To address this, he urged appliance repairers to obtain proper certification and training, emphasising that unqualified repairs not only harm the environment but also endangered public health.
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman,
Koforidua
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Small-scale miners schooled on health hazards of mining with mercury
Mr Lovelace Sarpong (right) addressing the participants
Some Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners in the Ashanti and Central regions have been sensitised on the potential health dangers humans are exposed to with the use of mercury in gold processing.
The sensitisation which was organised by PlanetGOLD Ghana project was to raise awareness about the negative impacts on the use of mercury in mining activities.
According to the PlanetGOLD Ghana Project Coordinator, Mr Lovelace Sarpong, the use of mercury in artisanal small-scale mining pose health challenges that affects the nervous, digestive and immune systems, lungs and kidneys; and may be fatal.
Some Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) that benefited from the exercise were Amansie Central, Asante Akim North, Amansie South, Amansie West, Bekwai, and Adansi North in the Ashanti Region, and Upper Denkyira East (Dunkwa-on-Offin) and Upper Denkyira West (Diaso) in the Central Region.
Additionally, he said inorganic salts of mercury were corrosive to the skin, eyes and gastrointestinal tract, and may induce kidney toxicity if ingested.
He stated that the PlanetGOLD Project has conducted several initiatives to raise awareness on reducing mercury exposure among artisanal and small-scale gold mining actors in the country.
It was to promote mercury-free mining practices in line with Ghana’s obligations under the Minamata Convention on Mercury, support the formalisation of the ASGM sector while advocating the adoption of the CRAFT Code and responsible supply chains, and raise awareness on the availability of mercury-free alternatives.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Area Head for Konongo, Mr Dawood Abbas, underscored the importance of government’s environmental regulations and EPA’s role in ensuring compliance within the ASGM sector.
He encouraged miners to prioritise environmental stewardship to gain community trust and secure a Social License to Operate (SLO) and reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to enforce its commitments under the Minamata Convention.
BY Cecilia Lagba Yada
