The international image of Africa is often one of extremes: extreme poverty, extreme conflicts, extreme animals. But these stories overlook some of the more nuanced versions of things happening here, particularly the tech and innovations coming from Africans for Africans. With that in mind, I’d like to introduce you to the Kantanka manufacturing company.
History and Founding of Kantanka
Kantanka was founded by a man known as Kwadwo Safo. He went to technical school and worked as welder and his enthusiasm for music lead him to tinkering around with making electric drums, speakers, guitars, amps and mixing consoles.
As his knowledge expanded, he began to work in a variety of other electronics, such as televisions, stereos, computer monitors, incubators and more. He focused his innovations on using local materials, such as using wood instead of plastics for the casings, and tech that would make lives easier, such as clapping to turn on a TV rather than a remote that might get damaged in the dusty season.
Manufacturing Cars in Ghana
He was soon dreaming of making cars here in Ghana and set about innovating improved ways to go about the production that goes into vehicles. Again, he used wood where it was practical. In places where metal was necessary, he created an innovative almost alloy that uses ground up sea snail shells mixed with the metal, which created a stronger material.
After more than 40 years, Safo’s cars went to market last year and continued the tradition of innovations. Among the models manufactured include an entirely electric vehicle, that has 10 hours of drive time after a two hour charge. There are also cars than can be started through a smart phone app, through the wave of a handkerchief and remotely driven cars. The vehicles are entirely manufactured in Ghana, as well as tested throughout the country in some extremely harsh conditions and roads. Some of the presidential candidates and police forces have purchased Kantanka vehicles to use. The average price of a Kantanka ranges from $18,000 to $35,000.
But cars are not the only vehicles manufactured by Kantanka. There are also Kantanka airplanes, armored vehicles and helicopters.
The company is based in Kumasi, but has manufacturing in Central Region.