For years African innovators have struggled to get the backing of their own people.
Often it is either because their inventions are deemed inferior or simply because locals don’t believe in them.
For some these innovators do not focus on products that really address the challenges of African societies.
Such attitudes and mindsets have been condemned in the past with a clarion call for Africans to begin to appreciate local innovations and support local inventors.
In Ghana a popular innovator called Apostle Dr. Kwadwo Safo Kantanka is coming under a lot of criticisms after showcasing his latest inventions.
At his Annual Kantanka Technology Exhibition event in the capital Accra, which was attended by Ghana’s vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Kantanka launched an airplane-car.
Ghanaian Innovator, Apostle Safo Kantanka unveils his new car that was patterned to look like an aeroplane. pic.twitter.com/1QuzUlrfuF
— Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) December 29, 2019
This latest invention adds to many that have been carried out by Kantanka and his team.
Finally @Boeing has competition from Ghana pic.twitter.com/9Jul3xDwDT
— Ameyaw Debrah #ameyawtv (@ameyaw112) December 29, 2019
The team is already assembling local brand of vehicles with ongoing campaigned focused on encouraging Ghanaians to purchase the cars.
I lauded the remarkable achievements chalked by Apostle Prof. Ing. Kwadwo Safo, Founder and leader of the Kristo Asafo Mission, especially in the area of agricultural and technological development, and industrialisation. pic.twitter.com/UNBsGYQ0Zd
— Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia (@MBawumia) December 29, 2019
Reactions to innovation
But not many are enthused by the new inventions, with some taking to social media to express their frustrations.
Ghana’s Kantanka is a cultural phenomenon. The problem is judging this phenomenon by engineering R&D standards. Invention of cultural categories differ from technical innovation. Which is why even hardcore Africanists must read Kant. We need his concept-to-object theories. pic.twitter.com/eHwnu3Cyoo
— Bright Simons (@BBSimons) December 30, 2019
The vision of Kantanka. Y’all hate to see itpic.twitter.com/73JHUIOKLf
— Jae⚡?? (@SelormJae_) December 30, 2019
He made an aeroplane that couldn’t fly….so he put tires under it to make it a Caroplane…. Genius move by kantanka?????
— Jake Van (@JakeVan64292284) December 30, 2019
Source: Africafeeds.com
