Why Ghana relies heavily on used cars

Why Ghana relies heavily on used cars

Used cars are very popular throughout Africa. photo: Wikimedia Commons

Sales of electric vehicles are growing.Globally, some 2 million electric vehicles sold in the first quarter of 2022 — A 75% increase over the first three months of 2021. However, most are sold in high-income countries.

As transport electrification takes root in rich countries to reduce emissions that contribute to climate change and air pollution, more and more internal combustion engine vehicles are likely to find their way into the used car market.

Africa is already one of the leading destinations for used cars. Between 2015 and 2018, the EU, Japan and the US exported 14 million used cars globally.40 percent of them went to an african country.

Used cars serve a real need on the continent by supporting mobility and creating livelihoods for millions of people, including mechanics, sprayers and other garage operators. But they also exacerbate public health and environmental problems through accidents and pollution.

This is mainly because vehicles exported to African countries Run primarily on fossil fuels, tend to be aging, polluting and prone to failure. Sometimes, these vehicles are modified – such as removing Catalytic converters for obtaining precious metals – making them more polluted.

Africa’s reliance on used cars is often attributed to Low income and weak regulation. The cost of a new car and limited access to loans puts a new car out of the reach of most people.The environmental and public health protection standard for used vehicle hazards is poor implementation in many african countries. The cost of repairing older cars is also relatively low.

The combination of these factors often Increased demand for used cars. Supplies are ready because rich countries have strict take-back policies. However, that’s not all.

our recent papers Exploring Ghana’s reliance on used cars. We find that low income and poor regulation can only tell us so much. This interpretation also tends to limit policy tools to bans and import restrictions. We argue that a more comprehensive view could reveal more roles and open up more policy options.

Used Cars in Ghana

Ghana Modified some planning laws inherited its colonial experience. despite this, Like their counterparts in other African countriesattitudes and practices of Ghanaian politicians and professionals towards planning, transport and land use still reflect the colonial framework and mentality.

These practices continue to promote the spatial separation of work and other activities, such as purchasing food away from home. This forces or encourages people to travel more. Road construction takes precedence over public transport provision. Roads have enormous political value in Ghana. Voters love roads, and building roads generates great kickbacks and windfall opportunities.

These dynamics create an incentive to invest more in roads.In fact, the Ministry of Transport of Ghana reports that more than 80% of the government’s annual transport budget is spent on road project. Roads lead to more dispersed land use – requiring more travel.

These roads are primarily designed for cars—they often lack sidewalks, intersections, and bike lanes.

Increasing road construction, combined with underinvestment in public and non-motorized transport, and the higher social status that comes with car ownership, encourages higher-income individuals to import cars for personal use.

Demand for private cars is easily met by importers who specialize in cheap used cars and have ample supply. Documented Corruption in the Customs Department It also undermines the effective enforcement of regulations on imported used cars. The benefits go to the powerful players associated with the sector, which is a very backwards approach.

The minibus (often called “tro-tro”) sector has stepped in to meet high public transport demand.Several studies have shown that the sector serves 60% of the Ghanaian tourist public. However, operators are still highly fragmented and largely concentrated in personal short-term profit. Service improvements – such as more efficient operations, fleet updates or electrification – Those requiring more funds were ignored.

The Ghanaian government and its “development partners” direct their high-quality bus investments to BRT projects don’t always go to plan, leaving gapsThese circumstances encourage the continued purchase and use of second-hand minibuses, which are often poorly maintained and remain on the road even as they become older and more dangerous. Their regular use means that large numbers of people face discomfort, air pollution, poor safety and other problems.research shows Bad minibus (tro-tro) traffic experience Factors driving people’s consumption of used private cars in Ghana have been added.

global view of the problem

Currently, concerns over poor regulation and poverty have led to bans and penalties on used car imports as the main policy response to Africa’s reliance on used cars. A broader perspective, including land use patterns and public transit investment, offers new policy options for reducing used and general vehicle consumption.

These options may include:

• Changing town and city planning so people live, work and shop in the same area, reducing travel;
• Investing in making public transport, as well as walking and cycling, cleaner, safer, efficient, affordable and attractive;
• Investment in public transport infrastructure, such as dedicated bus lanes and appropriate bus stops, stops and passenger information;
• Tax breaks and financial support for new public transport – minibus recapitalization programs such as south african Higher occupancy, lower emissions and safer vehicles can be introduced;
• Minibus electrification and investment Emerging local electrification initiatives.

Overall, policies need to shift from simply banning used car imports to building increasingly expensive roads. Wider interventions exist to wean Ghana and other countries from car dependence and all the socio-environmental harms that come with it.

Festival Godwin Boateng is a postdoctoral researcher Center for Urban Sustainability exist Columbia Climate School; Jacqueline M Kloppis a research scholar at the Center for Urban Sustainability.

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