Mr. O's Favourite Trotros

While Mr. and Mrs. O are blessed to have their own means of transport, most of Ghana runs on trotros, those privately-run vehicles that are bigger than a minivan, but smaller than a bus.

Most trotros are cheap, uncomfortable, hot, sweaty deathtraps that should be taken off the road. But until the country can afford a viable public transport system, this is the way to go. 

Trotros are also as essential part of Ghanaian culture: a place for gossip, debate and even the start of many a romance. For foreigners, it's also a great way to get to know Ghanaian culture and to meet people. Another great thing: a taxi driver can scam their passenger, but in a trotro, when the passenger sends their fare to the mate, the others passing it along know EXACTLY what the fare is and will call out the mate if he's trying to overcharge by a single pesewa.

The best thing about trotros is their decorations: each one has its own customized scheme. Flags (usually Jamaica), animals (tigers are popular), church stickers (Holy Anointing Fire Church Ministry) and always a motto on the back window (No Food For Lazy Man!). Whether it be a religious quote, a parable of wisdom or something altogether cryptic, it is always worth reading. Taxis have emulated this and some can be simple and some vehicles are covered in them. 

Watching for trotro and taxi stickers is a great way to pass the time on long car journeys or simply when stuck in traffic. It can also help to humanize the jerk who pulled out in front of you when his bumper reads, ''SWEET MOTHER''.

So without further ado, a sample of Mr. O's favourite trotros and taxis!

"STILL ALL DIE" - A gentle reminder from Jesus and his lamb.

"GOOD BROTHER - DR. JESUS" - A brother and a doctor! His mother must be proud.

"WHAT IS LOVE?" Baby don't hurt me. Don't hurt me. No more.

Some are unintentionally misspelled. Either this is supposed to say GOD FIRST, or who knows.

"gosple" - As in the Gosple according to Mrak?

"THE BLOO OF JESUS" - Looks like this one needs a little Vitamin D.

Looks a bit like "Only God Can Fudge"? Bonus points for keeping the stickers indicating its previous life as the truck of Palle Hansen, Danish Electrician.

"PIZZA AGENCY" - Snapped by a friend in Kumasi, apparently this is a thing.

The Riddler.

This sexist Mudflap Girl silhouette is at least representative of the average Ghanaian woman.

"AMERICA MAN" - without question.

"JOHN 10:8 - STILL VOTE FOR JESUS" - 2,000 years and still a solid candidate.

"COMPUTER DOCTOR THUNDER" - Spotted in Takoradi. Reader interpretations welcome.

And Mr. O's hands-down favourite: "OH! GHANA POLITICIANS ARE REALLY DECEITFUL".

These are just the ones that Mr. O has had the privilege of following, but this is just a sample. Trotro Diaries (Facebook, Twitter) is a forum for commuters with humorous anecdotes, trofies (trotro selfies) and the occasional hilarious sticker.

Expats have seriously underused the potential humour of trotro stickers. Recognizing Ghana's fervent Christianity, Mr. and Mrs. O considered commissioning "JESUS TAKE THE WHEEL" for their ride.

Also, a classic Ghanaian rhetorical question is, "WHO KNOWS TOMORROW?" One taxi that has been sighted but never snapped accidentally reads, "WHO KNOWS TOM ORROW?" Mr. and Mrs. O at one point seriously thought of getting a hollaback sticker that says, "WE KNOW TOM ORROW!"