By Benjamin Nii Nai Anyetei
The Ghana National Association of Driving Schools (GNADS) says only 10 per cent of drivers in Ghana acquire their driving skills through accredited driving schools, raising concerns about road safety and the prevalence of preventable traffic accidents.
The Chairman of GNADS, Emmanuel Danso, described the figure as “staggering” during an interview on Channel One TV, warning that the lack of formal driver training contributes significantly to road crashes across the country.
“Driving is like a profession, and there are certain dynamics you need to understand,” he said, adding that many drivers are trained informally without adequate instruction, leaving them ill-prepared to drive safely.
Mr Danso said a large proportion of road accidents in Ghana are predictable and preventable, yet fatalities remain high due to inadequate and unstructured driver education. He stressed the need for comprehensive training to address what he described as a growing road safety challenge.
He commended the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) for establishing systems aimed at responsible driver licensing but called for stronger compliance and collaboration among driving schools and motorists.
“The DVLA is doing its part, but it is up to all of us to align with them and train drivers holistically,” he said.
Mr Danso expressed optimism that with sustained national commitment to proper driver education, road traffic accidents could be significantly reduced within two to five years.
Describing the surge in crashes as a “canker,” he urged regulators, drivers and the general public to work together to tackle the problem.
“Let us all come together and fight this cancer. It is possible,” he added.
