Emmanuel Danso, Chairman of the Ghana National Association of Driving Schools (GNADS), has sounded a stark warning about the dangers posed by Ghana’s informal approach to driver education. Speaking to the media December 12, Danso revealed a startling statistic: only 10% of drivers in Ghana have learned to drive through accredited driving schools.
Describing the figure as “staggering,” Danso pointed to it as a major factor behind the rising number of preventable road accidents across the country. “Driving is like a profession, and there are certain dynamics you should understand,” he explained, stressing that the technical skills and discipline required to drive safely can only be gained through structured, formal training.
According to Danso, the vast majority of Ghanaian drivers acquire their skills informally—often learning from friends or family, without the benefit of proper instruction. This, he said, leaves them unprepared for the complexities and responsibilities of being on the road, leading to countless avoidable crashes and fatalities.
“Ghana’s road crashes remain predictable, preventable, and avoidable,” he lamented. “But the country continues to record high fatalities because many drivers lack the knowledge and discipline that proper training provides.” He warned that without a nationwide commitment to improving driver education, the crisis on Ghana’s roads would only persist.
Danso commended the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) for establishing a roadmap toward responsible licensing, but emphasized that the onus is now on driving schools and drivers themselves to align with these standards. “DVLA is doing well, but it is left for us to align with them and do training holistically,” he said.
He projected that with a national push for formal driver education, Ghana could see a dramatic drop in road crashes within just a few years. “If we do it in two to five years, we will reduce accidents from four digits to three digits,” he asserted.
Calling the surge in road accidents a “canker,” Danso urged all stakeholders, including drivers, regulators, and the wider public, to unite in tackling the problem. “Let us all come together and fight this cancer. It is possible,” he assured, expressing hope that with the right commitment, Ghana’s roads can become safer for everyone.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com
