The Chairman of the Ghana National Association of Driving Schools ( GNADS ), Emmanuel Danso, has raised serious concerns about the poor levels of formal driver training in the country, revealing that only 10% of drivers in Ghana learn to drive through accredited driving schools.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on Friday, December 12, he described this statistic as “staggering,” warning that it is a major contributor to the increasing number of preventable road crashes recorded nationwide.
He emphasised that driving should be regarded as a profession that requires technical expertise and proper instruction. However, he noted that most drivers acquire their skills informally, without undergoing the structured training necessary to ensure road safety.
“Driving is like a profession, and there are certain dynamics you should understand,” he said.
According to him, Ghana’s road crashes remain predictable, preventable, and avoidable, but the country continues to record high fatalities because many drivers lack the knowledge and discipline that proper training provides. He argued that without intensified training efforts, the current crisis will persist.
Mr Danso commended the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) for laying out the roadmap for responsible licensing, adding that the responsibility now lies with training institutions and drivers 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 expressed confidence that a national commitment to proper driver education could lead to a dramatic drop in crashes. “If we do it in two to five years, we will reduce accidents from four digits to three digits,” he projected.
Calling the surge in road crashes a “canker,” he urged all stakeholders, including drivers, regulators and the public, to work together to address the problem. “Let us all come together and fight this cancer. It is possible,” he assured.
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