My 5 days trip to Ghana has ended and now that I am back to the UK, I surely have a lot to write about…
A lot has changed for good in Ghana but more for the worse. The few politicians and privileged individuals are living like Queens and Kings, and the masses are wondering around in poverty—-a hallmark of a broken economy and injustice.
Years ago, I used to be a ‘damn’ chief driver in Ghana. There was no corner I could not drive to, except that on one occasion, my BMW got into a huge accident near the Land Commission Offices at Cantonments-Accra. Even then, I was not the one driving, I was just a passenger.
My friend loaned me his car for the 5 days that was in Ghana and since I was with people all the time, there was no need to drive.
But there came a time I had to go for a meeting and my friend who sort of became my ‘chauffeur’ wasn’t around.
So I jumped into the driving seat and after 30 minutes of driving, I begun to sweat even though I had the air-condition on full blaze.
The traffic condition seems not have changed a lot but the driving was the worse I have seen in my years.
At this stage, I asked myself; was I part of this ‘beautiful driving scheme’ where almost everyone seems to be driving without thinking?
Majority of the drivers shown no indicators, they cut in front of you without you giving them permission and anytime you get to a roundabout, you begin to wonder if there are Road Traffic Rules in Ghana.
At one point, the traffic light was RED and I decided to stop. Though no cars were coming from the other side, it was RED and it meant I should stop. However, all the drivers following me kept passing by, jumping the RED light in broad day.
And then this silly taxi driver kept horning, he eventually pulled close to me and shouted in twi ‘Fool, are you driving the car with a TV license or what?’
That was funny and at the same time scary…What if a car from the other side where the GREEN light is on came crashing into all those cars jumping the RED light?
I was petrified beyond measure and had to quickly park the car…
To my friends, I have been a lost soul in the system for a while and that is why everything seem scary to me.
One said ‘you used to drive fine in this, nothing has changed, it is just that you’ve gotten used to the orderly way of driving in London. This is Ghana, we do it everyday with less accidents’.
The night before I left Ghana, I organised a small dinner party with Jackie Appiah, Juliet Ibrahim and some few friends and during our conversation, I brought up this issue….
Everyone laughed, accepting that driving in Ghana is terrible but it is beyond horrible in Nigeria. I was told, Ghana is even better….REALLY?
My question is; Why Must You Suspend Your Thinking Faculty In Order To Be Able To Drive In Ghana? Can’t we just follow the various road traffic rules and respect other drivers on the road?
And the excessive horning can break your ear drum! Geez…What has been your experience on Ghana roads?
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