Poor Driver Education Linked to Rising Road Crashes — GNADS Warns

The Chairman of the Ghana National Association of Driving Schools (GNADS), Emmanuel Danso, has expressed deep concern over the low standards of formal driver training in the country, revealing that only about 10% of Ghanaian drivers learn through accredited driving schools. Speaking on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on Friday, December 12, he described this figure as “staggering” and warned that it is a major factor behind the rising number of preventable road crashes nationwide.

He stressed that driving should be treated as a profession that demands technical skill and proper instruction. However, he lamented that most drivers learn informally, missing out on the structured training essential for safe road use.

“Driving is like a profession, and there are certain dynamics you should understand,” he said. According to Danso, Ghana’s road crashes are predictable and avoidable, yet fatalities remain high because many drivers lack the knowledge and discipline that formal training offers. He cautioned that the situation will remain unchanged unless training efforts are significantly strengthened.

Danso praised the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) for establishing clear guidelines for responsible licensing, adding that training institutions and drivers must now align themselves with these standards.

“DVLA is doing well, but it is left for us to align with them and train holistically,” he noted.

He expressed confidence that a strong national focus on proper driver education could greatly reduce crashes. “If we commit to it for two to five years, we can cut accidents from four digits to three digits,” he projected. Describing the surge in road crashes as a “canker,” he called on drivers, regulators, and the public to unite in tackling the issue. “Let us all come together and fight this cancer. It is possible,” he assured.