A dignified African elder would always be seen with a symbol of the authority he rightly commands, a flywhisk, a staff, or a walking stick; these symbols of authority can crafted to start your SUV if they were made by Kantanka, a company churning out an unbelievable variety of machines, from helicopters to tissue dispensers.
But the walking staff isn’t the only eccentric way Kantanka has devised to start its cars; a watch could serve the same purpose, as would a button surreptitiously stashed on your clothing.
Yet Kantanka isn’t a Korean choebol, or an American novelty company, or a German enterprise; it is a Ghanaian company, started by a man of the cloth without so much as a certifiable iota of technical knowhow.
Mr. Safo Jr., the CEO, stands by a Kantanka SUV. He is the founder’s son.
That man is Apostle Dr. (Hons.) Kwadwo Safo, whose Apostle Safo Suaye Technological Research Center in the town of Gomoa Mpota, near Kumasi, Ghana has an assembly line that may soon be producing 100 cars a month for the local market.
The difference between this assembly line and the innumerable that are to found around the continent is that, by and large, the vehicles being built there are entirely locally produced, which is why the Kantankas can proudly proclaim “Made in Ghana”. Not bits and pieces imported from elsewhere then assembled in Ghana
For instance, in their electric car (yes, like Elon Musk Teslas!), only its lighting system and the tires are imports; every other component is either built on site or sourced locally.
The electric cars produced here, simply Kantanka Odeneho, are 5-seater SUVs that are just as commanding as a normal fuel-guzzling offroader, the only difference being that underneath the hood, the Odenehos are stacked with twelve batteries, which can push the 4-wheel drive up to 240km/h.
Under the hood of an electric Kantanka is an array of twelve 12V car batteries that power motors that turn the wheels. This is a Kantanka Otumfo, which is electric like the Odeneho. Image courtesy of Ghana Car Zones.
While the range on full charge hasn’t been clarified, the batteries can be charged while the car is in motion, in theory meaning that range shouldn’t be an issue. There are also solar panels to complement this dynamic charging system. Alternatively, you could just plug it onto a house socket, as you would your iron box or coffee maker, and let it charge.
There are also fuel-powered cars, such as the Kantana Daasebie, Nsoromma, Okunini and Omama; they are by and large 5-seater, 4WD SUV, save for the Omama, which is a double cab pickup. The Omama was the model that was donated to the Ghanaian police in March this year.
This is the Kantanka double cab pickup that was donated to the police.
The dream to have a Ghanaian designed and built car was first vivified in 1998, when Dr. Safo’s petrol powered 5-seater saloon car roared to life, and this was followed by six years of tinkering before the first 4WD was presented to the public. Now there are countless models of cars that have been conceived and built by Kantanka, including a limousine.
It’s called the Obrempong, and while it may not have the brand recognition of a Mercedes S600 Pullman, it can still host as many if not more people in it, and has the standard appointments of a stretch; a wine cabinet, a flat screen, and a luxurious décor. It was built in 2009, and is used by the doctor to get around.
The first Kantanka Obrempong; built in 2009, it is upon this design that slicker designs of their stretch are based.
So how would you identify a Kantanka vehicle? Just look for the solid star on its grill.
Cars are the most visible product built by Dr. Safo, but they are by no means the only items built in Ghana by Kantanka.
They have also built a functioning excavator, and have prototypes for a fixed wing aircraft and a helicopter.
This is the frame of a KTK 02, a single person helicopter built by Kantanka
Amongst their vast array of electronics, it is their TVs that stand out; as with the eccentricities to be found in the ignition system of their cars, these televisions can be turned out by human breath, or clapping your hands, and waving bye to the screen is the way to switch them off.
Additionally, Kantanka makes air conditioners, robotic arms, electric guitars, home theater systems, voltage stabilizers, incubators, toll gates; all locally designed. There are also tricycles and chariots amongst the list of products built by Kantanka.
But more than just make stuff, Kantanka offers attachment opportunities to Ghanaian students, thus improving Ghana’s pool of technically.
Source: streamafrica.com by Motengo Chwanya
