Greening the Transportation Landscape: Toward Low-Carbon Vehicular Emissions in Ghana

In Ghana, the road subsector is the dominant mode of transport, accounting for 96% of passenger and cargo traffic. Air quality problems have been exacerbated by the high volumes of old and poorly performing vehicular engines. Also, there are no vehicular emission standards that define acceptable limits for exhaust emissions thereby exacerbating health effects. The present study seeks to model vehicular emissions to provide baseline levels to guide the development of emission standards in the country. Data for analysis were sourced from the customs division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Driver Vehicle and Licensing Authority (DVLA). The findings are that existing policies have not necessarily discouraged the importation of old cars into Ghana and that the importation of “over-aged” vehicles has not led to environmentally responsible behavior. Modeling of vehicular emissions showed that they are below Euro 2 standard. Vehicular emission projections for 2020 were: CO 298.0, NOx 206.9, VOC 71.7, PM 22.1, and CO2 18123.7 Gg. To improve air quality, standards for emissions should be developed. Further, fiscal instruments can be used to raise revenue and to address environmental problems. Finally, it was emphasized that policies that provide incentives for new vehicles and use of public transportation could help to reduce the emissions.