An Analysis of the Implications of Imported Clean Cooking Technologies. Implications for Policy Development in Ghana

Energy transition comes off as a double-edged sword with consequences for several developing countries. Among these is the choice between patronage of local content in respect of production technologies required for the transition and the importation of the same technologies. This paper discusses the choice between imported equipment and locally manufactured ones in the clean cooking sub-sector and how this affects economic dynamics such as employment and productivity. The paper engaged 196 retailers and 35 manufacturers of ICS in a survey across Ghana. The findings revealed that ICS technologies are far advanced in developed countries whereas the technology transfer mostly reaches Ghana via the distribution chain hence making the technology transfer slow. Eventually, there is no real transfer of technical knowledge and skills to the local operators. Government and development partners as major stakeholders are encouraged to take pragmatic steps to plan or sponsor the training of local manufacturers in industrial centers with new technology. This has the potential to accelerate technology transfer and grow the local industry faster than the current situation. Additionally, Technical and Vocational institutions should be encouraged and supported to set up ICS technology incubation centers.