The running mate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, popularly known as NAPO, has unveiled government plans to equip auto mechanics with the skills necessary to thrive in Ghana’s evolving automotive industry.
Addressing garage leaders at Suame Magazine in the Suame Constituency on Thursday, November 28, Dr. Prempeh underscored the urgency of preparing mechanics for the global shift toward digitalization in the automotive sector.
He highlighted the government’s commitment to providing auto mechanics with training and resources to ensure their relevance in the face of an impending auto industry revolution.
“Our objective is to ensure that Ghanaian mechanics are not left behind as the global automotive sector advances toward digitalization,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of training and capacity-building to avert job redundancies.
“In a few years, many of the vehicles you currently repair will be phased out, as the global industry transitions to electronic cars. Recognizing this, the NPP has already initiated training programs for auto mechanics under the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) scheme, funded by the government. This will ensure you remain valuable and prepared for the future,” he assured.
“As the production of traditional cars declines, we will support garages to adapt to the digital era, ensuring they remain competitive and operational,” he added.
NAPO also addressed challenges faced by importers, particularly the frequent changes to import duties at Ghana’s ports, which have created significant uncertainties.
“Frequent changes in import duties disrupt planning for importers. To resolve this, Dr. Bawumia, upon election as president, will introduce a fixed-duty system. This will allow importers to know the exact cost of their duties before their containers arrive, enabling better planning and fostering stability,” he explained.
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