Transport and Driving

Getting around Ghana is always quite an adventure for new arrivals. The public transport infrastructure in Ghana is relatively underdeveloped but ongoing work is taking place to improve and expand the country’s railway network.

Driving in Ghana can be just as challenging. The quality of the road network is not on par with the standards that those from Europe or North America would be accustomed to, so expats that do choose to drive in Ghana need to do so with caution.

Public transport

Public transport in Ghana isn’t very well developed and most people in Ghana opt to travel by bus rather than train. Although buses are more comfortable, both modes of transport can be unreliable and delays are common. Patience and a sense of humour are essential when travelling around Ghana.

Trains

Trains in Ghana are operated by the Ghana Railway Network and link Accra, Kumasi and Takoradi. A passenger service runs once either way between Accra and Kumasi each day, a journey that takes around 12 hours.

They are slow and not much cheaper than motorised transport. Travelling by train in Ghana is not particularly comfortable and they are not the most reliable form of transportation as they can be subject to severe delays.

Buses

There are a number of bus companies in Ghana, including OSA, Kingdom Transport Services, City Express, Metrobus and GPRTU, but the most comprehensive bus services are provided by the State Transport Corporation (STC). STC have standard and luxury buses that operate over long distances between Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi, Tamale and the Cape Coast.

Expats should opt to travel on ‘Express’ or ‘Air-conditioned’ buses as these are faster and a lot more comfortable than ordinary services. While buses in Ghana are quite reliable, delayed departures are common. Traveling by bus in Ghana is relatively safe and quick, especially when compared to other modes of transport.

It is best to purchase tickets in advance as seats on the more popular routes fill up quickly. Passengers are also charged for their luggage based upon its weight, but this rarely comes to more than 30 percent of the price of a ticket. The fares for bus travel in Ghana are very reasonable, but vary depending on the route and the bus operator.

Domestic flights

Flying is the fastest way to travel between the major cities in Ghana. There are scheduled domestic flight two to three times a day between Accra, Kumasi, Sekondi and Tamale.

There are two domestic airlines operating in Ghana; Citylink and Antrak. Flight prices fluctuate on a daily basis. Domestic flights are rarely full and it is possible to buy tickets at the airport. However, booking online in advance does save money.

Tro tros 

Tro tro is the name given to a shared taxi in Ghana. These vans run along fixed routes and charge a flat fare for any stop on a given route.

Travelling on a tro tro is certainly an experience. Passengers are squashed into the vehicle along with large pieces of luggage and even items of livestock. Tro tros do not run on any sort of schedule and rarely start moving until the vehicle is full.

On some routes, a relatively new tro tro service called the City Express can be found. These two tros are more comfortable and have air conditioning.

Travelling by tro tro in Ghana is the cheapest mode of transport. Despite the cost benefits, tro tros have a questionable safety record and frequently break down. Tro tro drivers often work long hours and this results in some risky driving behaviour.

While travelling by tro tro in Ghana is an excellent cultural experience and a great way to interact with the locals, they aren’t recommended for long journeys.

NYU public safety doesn’t recommend using Tro Tros because of safety concerns.

Taxis

Taxis are readily available in all cities, but there are different types of taxis in Ghana and new arrivals in the country will benefit from familiarising themselves with what is available. Firstly, there are metered taxis that have fixed prices per kilometre. There are other private taxis where passengers can negotiate a price with the driver.

There are also the distinctive line taxis with their bright yellow mudguards. These taxis run a shared and hire service. On shared services they pick up and drop off passengers along a particular route. On a hired service, a passenger can negotiate a fixed price with the driver to take them directly to their destination.

If using any form of private taxi in Ghana be sure to settle on a price before embarking on the journey.

Driving

Expats moving to Ghana can drive on an international driving licence for up to a year. For those who plan on being in Ghana for over a year, the process of obtaining a Ghanaian driving licence is fairly straightforward and simply requires presenting a valid international driving licence along with four passport photos.

The standard of roads in Ghana is variable. Expats will find that the quality of roads on the major routes between big cities such as Accra, Kumasi and Sekondi are fairly good. However, away from the urban centres, the roads become dirt tracks and driving conditions can be dangerous. A 4×4 is required for those who plan on driving into rural areas and in the north of the country.

The road between Techiman and Bole is particularly dangerous and expats should avoid driving here if possible.

New arrivals in Ghana should always drive defensively, especially on highways. Be very vigilant when driving close to a tro tro, as they have a habit of driving erratically with little regard for other road  users. Those driving at night need to be extra cautious because of poor visibility due to lack of adequate street lighting and badly potholed roads.