Anyone who has ever taken a tro-tro in Ghana knows that one of the greatest mysteries of daily life is not just the traffic, but the disappearing change phenomenon.
It’s an age-old trick perfected by tro-tro mates—their uncanny ability to forget, delay, or outright deny passengers their rightful balance.
If you’ve ever handed over your fare and waited in vain for your change, this is for you.
The Mathematical Gymnastics of a Tro-tro Mate
For some reason, tro-tro mates have an extraordinary ability to calculate fares instantly—when it benefits them.
Tell them your destination, and in seconds, they can tell you how much to pay. But the moment your fare results in an odd amount needing change, their calculations suddenly become complicated.
For example, a simple trip from Circle to Kaneshie costing GH₵3.80 should leave you with GH₵1.20 change from a GH₵5 note.
But somehow, the mate will stare at your money like you’ve handed them a complex financial equation, before telling you, “Wait, I go find change.” That change may never come.
The Legendary “Boss, Short of Coins” Excuse
If you’ve been on a tro-tro long enough, you’ve definitely heard the classic line: “Boss, short of coins.”
It’s a vague yet powerful phrase, often used when the mate has absolutely no intention of giving you your full change.
But where does the money go? Does it enter a black hole? Is there a secret tro-tro mate fund where all forgotten coins accumulate? The world may never know.
The Hope-You-Forget Strategy
A tro-tro mate’s best weapon is time. If they keep you waiting long enough, they know there’s a chance you’ll forget or simply give up.
The moment you start chatting, checking your phone, or looking out the window, they assume victory. Only the most persistent passengers—those who remind the mate every two minutes—manage to reclaim their change.
The “Fake Search” Performance
Sometimes, the mate will even put on a full performance, patting his pockets, lifting seat cushions, or rummaging through a mysterious stash of coins, pretending to search for your change.
The act usually ends with, “Oh chale, no coins inside, make I take am?” Translation: “You’re never seeing that money again.”
Accepting the Inevitable
Tro-tro mates and their disappearing change skills are part of the daily Ghanaian experience.
While some are honest and return every pesewa, many have mastered the art of small-scale financial disappearances.
The only real strategy? Either carry exact change or be ready to fight for every last coin. Otherwise, just accept that your few pesewas have contributed to the unofficial tro-tro mate pension fund.
