Access to reliable renewable energy solutions is critical to Ghana’s sustainable growth. Yet, while solar installations continue to rise, the number of qualified solar technicians remains insufficient to meet growing demand. Many certified electricians are eager to upskill for the solar sector but face high tuition fees and time constraints that limit participation in formal training programs.
Discussions between Swisscontact and Don Bosco Training Institute revealed that the 10-month evening Solar Technician course, designed for working professionals' costs GHS 15,000 per participant. Due to the high cost, many capable electricians are unable to enroll, despite the course’s relevance and flexibility. To address this gap, Swisscontact designed an intervention to make solar training more affordable and accessible while supporting graduates with essential starter tools.
Electricians face two major barriers when attempting to transition into the solar field:
High training costs: The GHS 15,000 tuition fee for Don Bosco’s program is unaffordable for most self-employed electricians and small business owners.
Limited access to start-up tools: Even after completing training, many graduates struggle to acquire the necessary solar toolkits and safety equipment needed to begin work immediately.
These financial constraints hinder Ghana’s ability to build a skilled, competitive solar workforce ready to support national renewable energy goals.
Swisscontact’s initiative provides a two-pathway solution designed to remove financial barriers and accelerate skills development in the solar sector:
Electricians and interested participants can enroll in Don Bosco’s 10-month evening solar program.
Swisscontact will subsidize GHS 12,500 of the tuition fee, covering 83% of the total cost.
Graduates will receive solar starter kits, including essential tools and safety equipment, enabling immediate transition into practice.
Electricians unable to attend the training can access solar starter kits and inventories (e.g, pico solar products, solar fans) through a no-interest payback system.
Repayments will be channelled into a revolving fund, ensuring future cohorts of electricians also benefit from the support.
This approach creates a sustainable model where financial assistance and practical resources reinforce each other to build a strong solar workforce.
CEWPAG plays a central role in mobilizing and sensitizing its members nationwide. The association will:
Co-host awareness workshops with Swisscontact and Don Bosco.
Coordinate member selection and match participants to suitable intervention pathways.
Ensure equitable participation across its regional chapters.
Don Bosco provides the technical foundation through its certified training, while Swisscontact offers strategic and financial support to ensure the initiative’s long-term sustainability.
33 electricians trained and certified across three cohorts over a two-year period.
Dozens more supported through the entrepreneur pathway.
Strengthened renewable energy workforce equipped to meet market demand.
Expanded access to affordable, clean energy services across Ghana.
Ultimately, this initiative will position CEWPAG and its members as key drivers of Ghana’s solar energy transition.
This initiative envisions a future where every certified electrician in Ghana can seamlessly transition into the renewable energy sector skilled, equipped, and empowered to deliver quality solar solutions. By breaking down financial and logistical barriers, the project aims to create a thriving community of solar professionals who drive sustainable energy adoption across the country.
Through this partnership between Swisscontact, CEWPAG, and Don Bosco, Ghana’s energy transition will be powered not only by technology, but by people, technicians who are competent, confident, and committed to shaping a cleaner, more inclusive energy future.