In the bustling streets of Accra, Ghana’s capital, commuters face daily battles with unreliable public transport, marked by long queues, inflated fares, and accusations of artificial shortages. Miles away in Prague, the capital of Czechia, and the experience is starkly different: a seamless, integrated network where a single ticket unlocks buses, trams, metros, ferries, and even a funicular, all navigable via everyday apps like Google Maps. While these cities operate in vastly different economic contexts, Accra could draw practical lessons from Prague to address its current woes without overhauling its entire infrastructure overnight.
Accra’s public transport system relies heavily on privately operated minibuses known as trotros, managed by unions like the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU). From December 2025 through January 2026, a crisis has intensified with commuters enduring extended wait times, hoping to get to areas like Madina, Adenta, Pokuase and Amasaman. Drivers have been accused of creating artificial vehicle shortages to justify unauthorized fare hikes, sometimes doubling approved rates, especially during rush hours or at night.
Mind you, fuel prices keep going down. The GPRTU attributes the issues to seasonal patterns post-holidays, vehicle breakdowns, and severe traffic congestion, rather than deliberate actions. In response, the Transport Ministry has deployed additional buses from state-owned operators like Metro Mass Transit and STC to ease the strain, and officials have launched enforcement operations at terminals to curb illegal practices.
Even public figures, such as Deputy Agriculture Minister John Dumelo, have stepped in by funding shuttle buses for commuters, though these efforts have yet to resolve the underlying problems. The result? Workers often leave offices early to beat the chaos, disrupting productivity in a city where majority of residents depend on public transport.
In contrast, Prague’s public transport, operated under the Prague Integrated Transport (PID) system, emphasizes efficiency and user-friendliness. A single ticket validates travel across multiple modes; metros, an extensive tram network, buses, ferries along the Vltava River, and the historic Petřín funicular.
This comes without needing separate purchases for each leg. Integration with digital tools is key: Google Maps provides real-time updates on routes, delays, and even crowd levels on vehicles, making navigation easy for locals and visitors alike. Local apps like PID Lítačka allow users to buy and validate tickets digitally, reducing the need for cash or physical booths thought it still exists. This setup minimizes downtime while it maximizes coverage, serving a city of about 1.3 million with reliability that has earned it praise as one of Europe’s best systems.
The economic divide between the two nations is undeniable. Czechia benefits from decades of investment in infrastructure, supported by EU funds and a stable regulatory environment. Ghana, with a rapid urbanization straining resources, faces challenges like underfunded state transit and a dominant informal sector participation. Yet, this gap doesn’t preclude adaptation; Prague’s model evolved from post-communist reforms in the 1990s, starting with basic integrations that scaled over time.
Accra could start small and build respectfully on its existing framework. First, introduce a unified ticketing system for trotros, state buses, and emerging options like ride-hailing, perhaps piloted in high-demand zones. This would curb fare exploitation by standardizing payments and reducing opportunities for mid-route hikes.
Second, partner with tech giants to integrate real-time tracking into apps like Google Maps, using affordable GPS devices on vehicles; similar to Prague’s crowd-sourced data features. Ghana’s government could leverage ongoing initiatives, such as the 2024 push for electric buses and smart transit, to expand Metro Mass routes and enforce regulations through digital monitoring.
Collaborating with GPRTU to address genuine issues like vehicle maintenance, while cracking down on artificial shortages via transparent audits, would foster trust. Finally, decentralize planning to local assemblies, as suggested in Ghana’s national infrastructure plans, to tailor solutions to Accra’s unique traffic patterns.
Reforming Accra’s transport won’t happen instantly, but by borrowing Prague’s emphasis on integration and technology (scaled to Ghana’s context), the city could alleviate commuter hardships, boost economic efficiency, and create a more equitable system. With political will and targeted investments, a smoother ride for Accra’s residents is within reach.
This is not too far for Ghana to reach. Lessons can be learnt from Aayalolo’s Bus Rapid Transit failure. Metro Mass Transit’s new electronic buses are already digitised. Private entrants like Smart Transyt have gained popularity and trust among their users. All that remains is that one decision to overturn Accra’s public transport.
Will we ever see our beloved double decker “Aunty Dedei” buses roam Accra again?
Honourable Transport Minister, over to you.
The author Ekow Boakye is a Broadcast Journalist at the EIB Network’s GHOne TV & Starr FM, a Fact-Checking advocate and a 2025 Cool Czechia Alumnus.