The Chairman of the Ghana National Association of Driving Schools (GNADS), Emmanuel Danso, has expressed deep concern over the country’s low rate of formal driver training, revealing that only 10% of drivers acquire their skills through accredited driving schools.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on Friday, December 12, Mr Danso described the figure as “staggering” and a key factor behind the rising number of preventable road crashes across Ghana.
He stressed that driving must be treated as a professional discipline requiring technical knowledge and structured instruction. However, the majority of Ghanaian drivers learn informally, often without the essential training needed to ensure responsible behaviour on the road.
“Driving is like a profession, and there are certain dynamics you should understand,” he said.
According to him, Ghana’s frequent road crashes are “predictable and avoidable,” yet fatalities remain high because many drivers lack the proper education, discipline, and safety awareness that certified training provides. Unless systematic training is prioritised, he warned, the current trend will continue.
Mr Danso commended the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) for outlining clear standards for responsible licensing, but emphasised that driving schools, instructors, and drivers must all align with these guidelines.
“DVLA is doing well, but it is left for us to align with them and do training holistically,” he noted.
He expressed optimism that a strong national commitment to formal driver training could significantly reduce fatalities. “If we do it within two to five years, we can reduce accidents from four digits to three digits,” he projected.
Describing the surge in road crashes as a “canker,” Mr Danso called on drivers, regulators, and the public to unite in addressing the crisis. “Let us all come together and fight this cancer. It is possible,” he assured.
