Road Tripping in Ghana: Dos and Don’ts for the Adventurous Traveler
By Tawiah Mensah
Buckle up before you hit the road! Planning a road trip through Ghana sounds exciting! However, the experience can be extremely challenging even to a seasoned traveler. Fear not though! We've compiled a list of dos and don’ts to carry along with you while you marvel at the breathtaking landscapes and rich culture in Ghana.
Before we get into the six great commandments, there are two popular means of road-tripping in Ghana. The use of station buses and minibuses, popularly known as tro-tro or troski, and driving. Not you thinking, “What about flying?” Well, that’s the third option but it’s limited to five regions. The other eleven weren’t giving, I guess.
Now...
Rule number one:
The "Coolest" Months to Travel
Avoid driving during the rainy season (from April to July and September to November). Yes, it can be refreshing to see the lush greenery, but even the lightest of downpours makes our roads challenging to navigate, especially in rural areas. Plus, you don't want to get caught in a heavy downpour during your sightseeing adventures. This doesn’t mean the dry season is pothole-free, don’t get me wrong. I mean the weather is more pleasant but you are still going to need a little hip replacement and maybe a few things will go loose under your car.
2. Timing is Everything
If you aren’t familiar with your location, do not travel at night. It’s not just unforeseen potholes you have to worry about. The roads barely have street lights. You could be on one stretch for ten minutes and the closest you’ll come to a street light would be an off-white flickering light bulb. You also do not want to be driving in the dark, at night, in a truck-friendly town.
3. Tro-tro Can Be Your Friend and Your Enemy
For my soft-lifers, the safer option with the best comfort are the station buses. And guess what? If you happen to lose your stuff or leave anything behind, you can easily go back there. You just might be lucky. Now tro-tro, this will certainly get you there faster, with a memorable journey filled with music, laughter, vibrant conversations and sometimes a little in-car violence. That’s if you leave out the need for the hip replacement.
4. Master the Ghana Road Language
Imagine going 100km/h with your favorite song blasting through the speakers and suddenly, here come cattle and cats walking on the street like nobody’s business. Ghanaian roads can be lively, with malfunctioning cars, pedestrians, and yes, the occasional livestock. You can’t take your eyes off the road even for a moment. Stay alert, and expect vehicles stopping abruptly, and by vehicles, I mean tro-tro. When you’ve had enough, you can honk as much as you want. Honking is common, and you are undoubtedly going to need it as a weapon when you encounter other drivers on the road. Trust me, you will need it.
5. Don’t bank solely on GPS Navigation
You don’t want to end up in someone’s backyard because the GPS led you there. While road tripping, pay attention to road signs and ask for help from residents. Some locations are hidden between towns and you will need help to find them.
6. Carry Along Something Small for the Boys
For our friends in uniform on the road, (you will know when you get there), you should absolutely have little gifts in the form of currency to show appreciation and gratitude for the good job they do in keeping us safe.
As you gear up for your road trip through Ghana, remember to embrace the Ghanaian culture. Whether you choose to drive, travel via a station bus or with the ever-dramatic tro-tro, be open to the experiences that come from each adventure. Safe travels, and may your road trip in Ghana be filled with discovery, and plenty of "only-in-Ghana" moments!
