Only 10% of Ghanaian Drivers Trained in Driving Schools – GNADS Sounds Alarm on Road Safety
GNADS warns that low formal driver training is fueling preventable road crashes across Ghana
- Only 10% of Ghanaian drivers attend accredited driving schools
- Informal driving education is a major contributor to preventable accidents
- GNADS urges nationwide commitment to proper driver education to reduce crashes
The Chairman of the Ghana National Association of Driving Schools (GNADS), Emmanuel Danso, has expressed serious concern over the low level of formal driver training in Ghana, revealing that only 10% of drivers learn through accredited driving schools.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on Friday, December 12, Mr. Danso described the figure as “staggering,” warning that inadequate training is a major factor behind the rising number of preventable road accidents nationwide.
He stressed that driving should be treated as a profession requiring technical knowledge and proper instruction. Yet, most drivers acquire their skills informally, bypassing the structured training essential for road safety.
“Driving is like a profession, and there are certain dynamics you should understand,” he said.
Mr. Danso noted that Ghana’s road accidents are largely predictable and preventable. However, fatalities remain high because many drivers lack the knowledge and discipline that formal training provides. Without intensified training initiatives, he warned, the road safety crisis is likely to continue.
He commended the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) for implementing a roadmap for responsible licensing, emphasizing that driving schools and drivers must now align with these standards.
“DVLA is doing well, but it is left for us to align with them and deliver comprehensive training,” he said.
Expressing optimism, Mr. Danso projected that a national commitment to proper driver education could reduce accidents dramatically. “If we do this in two to five years, we could bring accident numbers down from four digits to three,” he said.
Calling the surge in road crashes a “canker,” he urged all stakeholders—drivers, regulators, and the public—to collaborate in tackling the problem. “Let us all come together and fight this cancer. It is possible,” he concluded.
