Taxis in Ghana have been an integral part of the country’s transportation story. From the days of simple shared rides to the modern era of app-based convenience, taxis have not only shaped how Ghanaians move but also reflect the country’s cultural and technological evolution. 

This article delves into the history of taxis in Ghana, exploring their historical roots, the cultural nuances of hailing a ride, and the rise of ride-hailing apps that are revolutionizing the way Ghanaians get around.

Welcome to the complex world of Transportation in Ghana

A traditional tro-tro in Ghana

Honking, hissing, signalling and calling out to people on the streets is a common practice for commercial vehicle workers in Ghana as a persuasive means to get passengers on board and for take-off. 

As the bustling capital of Ghana, Accra offers several means of transport to move around the city. It is such an interesting sight to see actually, (almost funny) when trotro (private minivans) mates and taxi drivers squabble over whose vehicle a passenger should board. 

On the other hand, Okadas, or motorcycle taxis, are rising in popularity thanks to their ability to weave through congested streets, and despite the fact that people on well-to-do communities often navigate the busy Accra traffic in their own private cars, taxis in Ghana are a force to be reckoned with. In fact, it is common to see a taxi rank at the junctions leading to such streets.

A History of Taxis in Ghana

Transportation no doubt has come a very long way in every corner of the world and the same can be said for the Gold Coast (present day Ghana). Before the advent of motor vehicles, the people living the Gold Coast had to rely on their feet to move from one point to another and head porterage to carry goods and loads around. 

This was mainly due to the fact the horses, mules and donkeys did not thrive in Gold Coast. Sir Matthew Nathan, the then governor, imported the first motor vehicle in 1902 which was a French Gardner-Serpollet, paraffin-fire for his own personal use. 

The Dawn of Modern Transportation in Ghana

The year 1918-1920 saw a rising demand for lorries in the country as cocoa rose to very high demand and high profit could be made from transporting them and so was the necessity to build good roads, a development that was pioneered under the rule of governor Guggisberg. 

These events created the historical foundation for the transportation services we see today which includes taxis, in modern day Ghana. In fact, A bus service operating with 16 bus conductors and two inspectors was employed by the Accra town council in 1926 which gave birth to trotros operating in the country. 

These trotros served as shared taxis that made transportation cheaper and way more efficient. In 1965, a new taxi service with a fleet of 50 new Russian cars was opened by the former president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. The gateway was opened for this vibrant customer service to take stronger roots and flourish in the transportation sector in the country. How would you spot a taxi if you were to find yourself in Ghana though?

How to Identify Taxis in Ghana

© SAgbley/Wikimedia – CC BY-SA 4.0

A two-colored car with a gradient of yellow-orange paint sprayed at the four corners above the car tires with a luminous neon sign that has “Taxi” boldly printed on it with a yellow number plate is what set it apart from other vehicles. 

History has it that Krobo Edusei, a Ghanaian politician who lived from 1915-1984 and served as a Transport and Communication minister under the regime of former president Nkrumah was the one to introduce the mandatory yellow paint sprayed on the corners of the taxis as well as the small Taxi sign usually fixed on top of the car. 

Later in 2007, Ghana’s Parliament passed a law that required all taxis to have stickers embossed on the doors of the cars. These stickers are given by the metropolitan office.

How to Hail and Ride a Ghanaian Taxi

Taxis operating in Ghana can be flagged down on the road especially if they are empty for onward negotiations and boarding. This is usually called “dropping” in Ghana; because the taxi takes you directly to your home instead of designated bus stops. 

On the other hand, taxi ranks actually load passengers until they are full and then move to their destinations, often alighting passengers on various bus-stops enroute to their final destination. 

These taxis charge much lower fares than those that pick only one passenger and the fares are usually paid in the middle of the trip while with the former the fares are paid at the end of the trip.

The distinct looks of Ghanaian Taxis

© El dickie/Wikimedia – CC BY-SA 4.0

Many of the taxis are second hand saloon cars which are sometimes acquired by the drivers on a hire purchase agreement. It is very rare to find a brand-new taxi and many drivers keep their cars clean and fresh with all sorts of air fresheners. 

The inside of the windshield would likely have items of political and religious importance or of sentimental value to the driver like the flag or crest of a football team, a scripture verse or national flag. (Common ones being the Ghana, Jamaican and Israeli flags) These could be sticked or attached to the shield with a plastic suction window hook.

Top Ride-Hailing Apps and the Future of Taxis in Ghana

2016 revolutionized transportation in Ghana with the introduction of ride hailing apps like the Uber app for instance and robbing taxi drivers the monopoly over private ride services.  Efficient as it is, the taxi service still lacks the innovation that these ride hailing apps (Uber, Bolt and Yango included) bring to the table. 

It’s easy to book a ride, fares are comparatively low more often than not, with GPS you can easily be located by your driver and get to your destination and you can even share your ride with friends and family to ensure maximum security especially during late hours. 

The hassle of negotiating fares which can be draining is also eliminated by these apps which provide convenience. Even though the numbers of taxis have significantly reduced, they are still heavily being patronized by some groups of people.

The taxi service has come a very long way in Ghana and continues to ease our lives in many ways. Throughout history it has become the source of income for many families and individuals and it is still lucrative. Some drivers have adopted the use of the GPS to get to locations easier and faster by choosing better routes and dodging traffic. But can it rise to the safety standards set by these ride hailing apps? Well, we live to see.