Transaid given funding for HGV driver training in Ghana

Transaid has secured funding for a professional driver training programme in Ghana, raising standards and expanding training capacity for HGV drivers.

The international development charity said almost 95% of freight is transported by road in Ghana and with heavy goods traffic expected to increase in coming years, there are concerns there will not be enough experienced, qualified drivers to safely meet the growing demand.

The aim of the three-and-a-half-year project will be to reduce road traffic fatalities and injuries in the country – according to the World Health Organisation, an estimated 7,000 people lost their lives on Ghana’s roads in 2016.

Caroline Barber, Transaid chief executive, said: “We have seen first-hand the huge and positive impact our professional driver training programmes have had in sub-Saharan Africa, so to be able to expand this lifesaving work into Ghana, and benefit thousands more drivers, is really welcome news.

“It is our fundamental belief that every driver should be able to leave for a day’s work without the fear that they may not come home due to a lack of training, or dangerous vehicles and roads.”

Funding for the project came from the Puma Energy Foundation.