9 things to know about Ghana's first car maker, Safo Kantanka and his company

Unless you have been hiding in a hole for the past 6 years, you have probably heard about Apostle Safo Kantanka and his manufacturing business in Ghana.

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The company is well-known for having "wowed" the world with productions feats that would other seem herculean for Ghana, a country where engineering and manufacturing are virtually non-feasible.

READ ALSO: Ghana's First Automobile Manufacturing Company Inaugurated

But very little is known about the "Kantanka Group" and Yen.com.gh, today, will throw more light and the company and the people at the helm of it.

1. The family business started 20 years ago.

The Kantanka family business started in 1986 with the repair and making of electrical devices from TVs and sound systems to musical instruments and sewing machines.

2. Kwadwo Safo Kantanka is a pastor and a trained welder.

The founder of the company is the head pastor of a church named the Christ Reformed Church. Before becoming a pastor, Safo had trained as a welder.

3. Much of the materials used to make the cars are locally acquired

The company utilizes a lot of local material in production in a bid to reduce import charges. "We need to be able to produce at a more affordable rate. There are high import charges in Ghana," Kantanka Jr told CNN in an interview.

4. Ghana’s police conducted tests on the vehicles

The Ghana Police were invited to check the cars to prove that the company's "made-in-Ghana" cars could withstand the harsh terrain and nature of the country.

5. The company makes 150 cars monthly

The manufacturer can produce 150 cars a month, but plans are already far advanced to increase production capability as Kwadwo Safo Jr. related to the CNN.

6. The company’s CEO is the 30-year-old son of its founder

At the helm of the company is Kwadwo Safo Jr., who had earlier trained in London as a pilot before returning to Ghana to take charge of the family business.

7. The cheapest model costs 20,000 dollars

This high production cost is due to high cost of production. But the company hopes to produce more affordable cars soon.

8. Ghana’s vice president has taken delivery of some vehicles

Vice President, Amissah Arthur, has purchased some of the cars from the Kantanka Group in a bid to boost the consumption of "made-in-Ghana" goods.

9. The dream is to build sports cars and buses in future

Safo Jr. is confident that Kantanka will grow as a company. "We have a plan to build sports cars, buses and really expand in Africa with more models," says Safo Jr. "Once you are determined, and you want to do it, it's not hard," he added.

READ ALSO: Asantehene buys himself Kantanka SUV

Source: YEN.com.gh