Climate change and energy transition impact on employment transition in the Ghanaian energy sector

Abstract

The measures put in place by energy policymakers and regulators to reduce CO2 emissions encourage the switch from fossil fuels to the use of low-carbon fuels, particularly renewables. The research starts with a detailed content analysis of the climate change policies of Ghana within the electricity sector as well as a doctrinal analysis of the laws passed to implement climate change policies. The article then examines the energy transition measures implemented in Ghana over the years even though Ghana has just launched its National Energy Transition (NET) Framework. The article confirms that Ghana has implemented a variety of measures to promote energy transition although Ghana did not have a comprehensive energy transition policy. The research shows that fossil fuels dominate the electricity market but the patronage of renewables is vigorously promoted. In the wake of the transition from fossil fuel to low-carbon, the subsistence of the employment of workers in the energy sector comes under immense pressure with some employees becoming redundant. Employing empirical research methods, this article examines the employment transition during the energy transition, particularly in the electricity sector of Ghana. This article corroborates the fact that the introduction of renewables has created new jobs in the electricity sector but there is no clear link between the gradual energy transition from 2011 to 2021 on employment losses. In addition, the research shows that more women were employed in the electricity sector within the period installed renewable energy capacity increased although there is no direct link between the two. The article concludes that the new NET Framework will vigorously promote renewables in the energy sector but fossil fuels will provide the majority of the jobs in the Ghanaian energy sector for a while, therefore capacity building is needed to accelerate a sustainable employment transition during the energy transition.