Do buses in Ghana accept card payments?

I honestly struggled with the lack of options beyond cash. Trying to figure out routes was one challenge, but constantly needing small cedi notes was another. Conductors often refused larger bills, and it wasted time looking for change before getting on. It feels outdated compared to other African cities where at least some buses are modernized. If you’re not comfortable juggling coins and small cash every ride, public transport in Ghana can be frustrating.

I found the system cheap and surprisingly efficient once I understood the routes. The city buses run to major points, and tro-tros connect almost every neighborhood. Fares were tiny compared to taxis - I usually paid just a few cedis per ride. Everything was handled in cash, but that also kept it simple. No apps, no machines, just hand over the fare and go. For travelers wanting an authentic slice of Ghanaian daily life, the buses and tro-tros are worth trying.

I stayed in Osu and took tro-tros daily to Madina and Kaneshie. Every ride was paid in cash, and the mate preferred exact change. At first I carried large bills and it was a headache, since conductors rarely had change. After a few days, I learned to break notes at kiosks before boarding. It was chaotic but affordable, and honestly a good way to see local life. Just don’t expect to use any card on public buses here.

Ghana doesn’t have a metro system. In Accra, the main forms of public transport are tro-tros (shared minibuses), city buses, and long-distance coaches. All of these are cash-only. You pay directly to the driver or the “mate” (conductor), usually in coins or small notes. Even the larger, newer city buses don’t have electronic ticketing. If you’re moving around Accra or between towns, having cash in Ghanaian cedis is absolutely necessary.