In Bawku, a town in Ghana’s northeast bordering Burkina Faso and Togo, residents like Bukari Rahinatu are experiencing a quiet revolution in their daily commutes. Since the town’s authorities imposed security restrictions on fuel-powered motorbikes, electric bikes have emerged as a vital alternative, offering cleaner air, improved health, and reduced transport costs for traders, students, and workers. This shift, driven by necessity and entrepreneurial initiative, is reshaping local mobility and health outcomes.
The Genesis of a Green Commute
For years, the pervasive exhaust fumes from fuel-powered motorbikes were a daily nuisance in Bawku. Rahinatu, a 25-year-old graduate, recalls the constant inhalation of smoke and the resulting irritation and coughing. The situation changed dramatically when security restrictions were placed on traditional motorbikes, previously implicated in facilitating fast-moving attacks. This ban, while aimed at security, rendered daily life challenging for many.
Hakeem Girma, a local teacher and CEO of M. Sniff Business Hub, recognized an opportunity amidst the disruption. Inspired by his travels to China, Girma began importing electric bikes into Bawku in 2023, anticipating their potential as a practical and affordable transport solution. As the transport challenges intensified, demand for these e-bikes surged.
Reshaping Local Mobility and Well-being
The transition to electric bikes has been gradual but impactful. Residents who have switched report a noticeable difference in their daily journeys. Rides are quieter, breathing feels easier, and evenings are no longer marked by coughing fits or exhaustion.
While formal air quality studies are yet to be conducted in Bawku, anecdotal evidence points to significant health benefits. “My goal is not just to sell bikes. I want to improve the health of our town,” Girma states, highlighting the positive impact on parents taking children to school in cleaner air.
Trader Basheru Shafawu Kazusa echoes this sentiment, noting, “The electric bike allows me to move freely, and I feel healthier already.”
Expert Endorsement: Health Benefits of E-Bikes
Experts confirm the significant health advantages of this shift. Air pollution is a global health crisis, responsible for millions of premature deaths annually, according to the World Health Organisation. Outdoor pollution is linked to heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, and respiratory illnesses.
Dr Godwin Kafui Ayetor, a clean transport researcher at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, explains the detrimental effects of traditional motorbikes. “Motorbikes release harmful gases like carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons,” he notes. “These pollutants enter the lungs and bloodstream, increasing the risk of serious diseases. Electric bikes, powered by batteries, produce none of these gases.”
Epidemiologist Dr Napoleon Bellua Sam emphasizes the long-term health risks associated with air pollution, including increased chances of heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer. He points out that children, pregnant women, and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to these effects.
Wider Context: Africa’s Evolving Transport Landscape
Petrol-powered motorcycles are a dominant mode of transport across Ghana and Africa, prized for their agility in traffic and ability to navigate difficult terrain. The continent’s registered motorcycle fleet has grown substantially, reaching an estimated 27 million by 2022.
Recognizing the growing awareness of pollution’s dangers, interest in electric vehicles is on the rise. Studies, such as one projected for Kampala in 2025, suggest that replacing fuel-powered motorcycles with electric alternatives could significantly reduce harmful emissions and pollution-related deaths.
Ghana’s government has acknowledged the role of EVs in its future transport system, launching a National Electric Vehicle Policy in 2023 and offering import duty waivers for electric public transport vehicles. The nation aims to phase out new petrol and diesel vehicle sales by 2045.
However, current government incentives primarily target certified assemblers and public transport fleets, leaving grassroots adopters in places like Bawku without direct support. This makes the local adoption of e-bikes in Bawku a grassroots, necessity-driven phenomenon.
Economic Advantages and Future Outlook
Beyond health benefits, electric bikes offer significant cost savings. While the initial purchase price may be higher than conventional motorbikes, the operational costs are considerably lower due to the absence of fuel expenses.
Despite challenges such as an unreliable electricity supply and a lack of public charging stations, residents find the economics compelling. A full overnight charge can cost less than GHC5 and last an entire day, representing substantial savings for traders and workers compared to daily fuel purchases.
Girma hopes that Bawku’s experience will inspire other towns across Ghana. For residents like Rahinatu, the choice is clear. “I will continue using my electric bike,” she affirms. “I feel healthier, and I no longer end my day coughing from smoke.” The story in Bawku demonstrates how necessity can drive innovation, leading to unexpected but welcome improvements in both public health and economic well-being.
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