William Nana Acheampong

 Electric vehicles (EV) are cur­rently on high demand glob­ally and one of the emerging markets is Ghana, with many beginning to shift attention to its usage.

One challenge however has been charging stations for the vehicles es­pecially when it becomes very domi­nant in the country.

In addressing the challenge, 20-year-old student of the African University College of Communications (AUCC) William Nana Acheampong, has taken a huge step in designing a multipur­pose solar-powered charging station which would soon take the EV industry by storm.

Nana Acheampong is currently part­nering with the EV Founders, Sabrina Mensah Bonsu and Fouad Nadine to develop the stations in Ghana and possibly across the globe.

The groundbreaking innovation attracted the attention of EV Found­ers after Nana Acheampong made a presentation at a recently held EV conference in Ghana.

Hopefully within a year, with the right investments, the charging sta­tions would be commissioned in Ghana and set for the EV market.

The Journey

After completing GHANATA Senior High School (SHS) in 2021, Nana Ache­ampong in his desperation to look for a job and take care of himself through school, he landed at KFC in Osu where he served as a cashier.

The last born of five was eager to attain tertiary education since none of his siblings furthered their education due to financial challenges.

He later gained admission to the AUCC and combined education with working at the KFC, before joining the delivery business after quitting his first job.

Nana Acheampong then began using an electric bike from Wahu Mobility and engaged in the delivery business with Glovo and currently with Bolt.

Using the electric bike, Nana Ache­ampong noticed that there were no electric charging stations around and had to charge from home and go back when it runs down, which was affect­ing his business.

The idea of creating a charging station to ensure comfort for people using electric bikes was birthed, since it was very expensive to import one into the country.

His association with Bolt was the beginning of greater things to happen when he chanced upon the Bolt Accel­eration Programme aimed at empow­ering a dynamic group of Ghanaian entrepreneurs to transform their bold ideas linked to sustainable transport to life.

With no technical background as he studied General Arts in SHS and after research and sleepless nights, he man­aged to design the charging station using the Nema 14-50 outlet and pre­sented his idea at the pitching session which had over 100 people under the bolt programme.

The multipurpose charging station which has a shelter and a booth or kiosk for swiping, would be used for charging cars, bikes, scooters and even electronic gadgets. It is current­ly the only designed multipurpose charging station in Ghana and perhaps the continent.

His design eventually won the Most Innovative Idea at the 2024 Bolt Accel­eration Programme and rewarded 2000 Euros and a certificate.

Nana Acheampong is currently look­ing for substantial funding to officially build the charging stations across the country and welcoming investors.

“This is an innovation from Ghana which must be supported. In most cas­es, persons in the diaspora are those paying attention to these innovations but Ghanaians and Africans must begin to invest in their own,” he stated.

“Young people have great ideas but do not have the support to develop same which is very demoralizing. For example, China the fastest growing economy in terms of EV has most of the innovators championed by young people and receiving funds from inves­tors. This could be replicated in Ghana which would help the innovation space as Ghana is looking forward to going into the EV market which would con­tribute addressing climate change,” he stressed.

“It is high time the young people are allowed to contribute to development. Ghana is moving to a more electronic future which cost efficient and pro­mote environmental sustainability as compared to fuel vehicles,” he added.

Nana Acheampong is also looking forward to creating shops that would sell EV parts since there is none cur­rently in Ghana.

He expressed appreciation to Bolt for the support and exposure and urged other young people to take advantage of such initiatives.

Nana Acheampong enjoys cool mo­ments at the beach alone, listening to music, sharing drinks and good mo­ments with friends.

Jollof is his go-to food but loves banku with grilled tilapia. He is a Christian with the International Cen­tral Gospel Church (ICGC) Zoe Temple, Tema Community 5.

He urged young people not to give up but continue chasing their dreams, find ways to improve their skills so they would excel when the opportuni­ties come.

By Michael D. Abayateye & Jemima E. Kuatsinu