Kantanka Cars: Ghana Made Cars On The Rise
Kantanka Automobile Company Limited is a subsidiary of the Kantanka Group of Companies founded by Apostle Dr. Kwadwo Safo Kantanka. He also serves as Founder and Leader of Kristo Asafo Mission of Ghana.” Located in Accra, Ghana. Kantanka Auto was founded in 2012 by KOSA group (Ghana) and BIG S&T group (China) to bring innovative auto technology to Ghana.” Apostle Kwadwo Safo began his research on automobiles & electric cars and continued his research until they created the first “in house” Ghana made car in the early 2000s.
The Kantanka car is an electric car, meaning it doesn’t require an engine therefore it doesn’t require fuel. The Kantanka cars for now are manual transmission vehicles. Apostle Kwado Safo gave his son, Kwadwo Safo Jr. the title of CEO and he has extraordinary plans to further the brand of Kantanka. This is a big deal because unfortunately, when it comes to manufactured goods and services, most are imported. Once Ghana Airways, the first Ghanaian airline, fell through there wasn’t anything on that same level that was “in-home” and conducive to the growth of the countries economy.
I am always one to say that there is always room for improvement which means there is always room to expand. My initial thought upon hearing about this Ghana made car was “wow this is amazing and exactly what Ghana needs.” Of course I had to do a little more research and see how much of this process was completely rid of foreign hands. With that being said, according to Kwadjo Safo Junior, the son of the founder of Kantanka cars, they had to partner with an outside company in order to meet the international standards, (in this case they partnered with the Chinese company: Chongqing Big Science & Technology) so in partnering with this outside company, Kantanka brand was able to get parts like shock absorbers, frames, steering linkages, control arms, and other parts necessary to assemble/build a car. Moreover, when it comes to certain innovative ideas that is started by an individual, in this case a Ghanaian man, there are many naysayers who reject the idea before it has even had a chance to be watered and grow. The controversial debate over whether the Kantanka cars are considered to actually be ‘made in Ghana” because they import their parts from China, is in my opinion silly and unproductive. This is a chance for global inclusion with Ghana having a concrete brand and industry at the forefront. If it was really that concerning then I don’t understand why the government hasn’t put together a plan to create a massive Automobile Factory. But I digress…
In an interview with Kwadjo Safo, on the Ghanaian show Utv, he explains how this is the result of 20 years of research. He also revealed in that interview that the company isn’t just stopping at cars. They plan to make buses, air conditioners, television sets and more. This helps employ many Ghanaians and get them involved in the car manufacturing industry. Regardless of the fact that Chinese companies have influence and dealings in Kantanka, these are Ghanaian workers developing and testing their creation. Obviously we would like to see this whole brand eventually remove their ties from China but there is a reason why the Global economy exists. The exchange of goods and services between countries is not going to disappear. Instead, I believe Ghanaians should invest in these company themselves if foreign influence is supposedly unnecessary and get projects like building Power Stations to charge the Kantanka cars, building a Car Manufacturer where Ghanaians are the ones making tires, and steel, and other parts necessary to build a car.
For more information on Kantanka cars you can visit their website at: http://kantankaautomobile.com/
Author: Akosua Nyantakyi
Ghanaian-American author, Akosua was Born in Kukurantumi, Ghana, and moved to the United States when she was four months old. Her work showcases her love for her two cultures: Ghana & USA. She’s the author of the collection of Poems “Back to Kukurantumi”.
