Most Ghanaian Drivers Skip Driving School

Only 10% of Ghanaian drivers receive formal training from accredited driving schools, a statistic the Chairman of the Ghana National Association of Driving Schools (GNADS), Emmanuel Danso, has described as deeply worrying.

Mr. Danso warned that this low level of formal training is a significant factor contributing to the increasing number of preventable road crashes across the country.

“Driving is like a profession, and there are certain dynamics you should understand,” he stated, emphasizing the need for technical expertise and structured instruction. He noted that the vast majority of drivers learn informally, lacking the discipline and knowledge crucial for safe road use.

According to Mr. Danso, Ghana’s road crashes are “predictable, preventable, and avoidable,” yet fatalities continue to rise. He cautioned that without a concerted effort to improve driver education, the situation will not improve.

While commending the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) for establishing a roadmap for responsible licensing, Mr. Danso stressed the importance of alignment. “DVLA is doing well, but it is left for us to align with them and do training holistically,” he said in an interview with Channel One TV.

He expressed optimism that a national commitment to proper driver education could dramatically reduce accidents, projecting a decrease from four-digit to three-digit accident rates within two to five years. “If we do it in two to five years, we will reduce accidents from four digits to three digits,” he projected.

Describing the surge in road crashes as a “canker,” Mr. Danso called for collaboration among all stakeholders – drivers, regulators, and the public – to address the problem. “Let us all come together and fight this cancer. It is possible,” he assured.

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