Features
The transport system in Finland
Today, I discuss the transport system in Finland. I must say that I discuss this because of my admiration for how well it is organised.
Public transport in Finland is generally efficient, reliable, safe and on time. Because of the time-conscious nature of the transport system, usually people do not miss appointments or meetings; often, someone cannot use transportation as an excuse for being late unless the person missed the time to catch the bus or train, for example.
Travelling to places by public transport can be easy and without any worry at all.
Different types of means of transport
There are different types of public transport. For example, Helsinki as the capital city boasts of a network of buses, trains, trams, an underground train (locally called “Metro”), and taxis to carry travellers from one place to the other, in-between suburbs, cities and towns.
All these means of transport are government-regulated or run by the municipal councils. Even taxis are government-regulated (www.expat-finland.com).
These different types of public transport go alongside the private cars, motorcycles, and the countless bicycles that many people own.
Bicycles as environmentally-friendly means
I have noticed something very interesting about the use of bicycles. Although it is very common that people have their private bicycles (even if they own cars) to travel on short distances, public renting of bicycles are becoming quite popular especially during the sunny summer period.
I think many people use bicycles because they see it more as environmentally friendly since bicycles produce no meaningful pollution to the environment when in use.
The Helsinki City Bikes are shared bicycles (that is, bicycles that are displayed publicly for hire) seasonally. The bike hiring scheme is considered one of the most popular city bike systems in the world.
The number of bikes for the hiring is quite high. For example, the 2021 season has 4,600 bikes which are placed at 460 stations or points, and riders (or clients/customers) can hire on a daily, weekly or seasonal basis.
The minimum age for riders is 15.
Technology and public transport information
Today, we live in a technologically-advanced world where accurate information can be shared widely and faster to educate people about various issues or circumstances.
Although someone can purchase a ticket from physical sales points, the Finnish transport system is also supported by a well-developed technological system for purchasing the tickets.
For example, customers can buy tickets from an application which can be downloaded unto mobile technology devices.
The Finnish Transport Agency provides a point-to-point local and long-distance journey planner for Finland. In this way, travellers can easily have accurate information to help them in planning their journeys.
The traveller can type in his or her place of departure and place of arrival or the times for departure and anticipated arrival time for the trip.
Results for such searches are walking routes (such as distance to the bus or train station), the names of the bus stops or train stations and numbers, connection information, etc.
Moreover, most towns have their own websites with timetables, prices and other public transport information (www.expat-finland.com).
Learning from Finland
We in Ghana can learn from Finland and establish a comprehensive and well-organised public transport system.
Finally, maybe one day when we have more funds we can copy the Finnish system and have different types of transportation available for travellers. It is good that we are rebuilding the railway network in Ghana, which has not functioned properly for some years now.
What impresses me more about the Finnish public transport system is the fact that even taxis are government-regulated.
To me, in this way there could be little or no room for irregularities such as driver misbehaviour, personnel apathy, unsystematic planning or manipulation of customers by a private transport owner.
Maybe this can also improve how we organise our own system, especially if one day we can develop the transport system in Ghana. Let’s start thinking about this. Thank you!
GHANA MATTERS column appears fortnightly. Written in simple, layman’s terms, it concentrates on matters about Ghana and beyond. It focuses on everyday life issues relating to the social, cultural, economic, religious, political, health, sports, youth, gender, etc. It strives to remind us all that Ghana comes first. The column also takes a candid look at the meanings and repercussions of our actions, especially those things we take for granted or even ignore. There are key Ghanaian values we should uphold rather than disregard with impunity. We should not overlook the obvious. We need to search for the hidden or deeply embedded values and try to project them.
The writer is a Ghanaian lecturer at
the University of Helsinki, Finland
Indeed, numerous Ghanaians across the regions, all over Africa, and even people from other parts of the world were struck with sadness and grief upon hearing the sudden passing of the former First Lady of Ghana, Her Excellency Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, which occurred on the black day of Thursday, October 23, 2025.
Very often, it is difficult to believe the death of very high-profile persons in our communities, country, and even across the world, as recently witnessed in the passing of this indefatigable leader.
Former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings was the better half of the indomitable former President of Ghana, His Excellency, the late Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings, who ruled Ghana for a record period of 18 years.
His Excellency Jerry John Rawlings, alongside his able men like Osahene Boakye Gyan, Akatapore, and other young army officers, shook the political foundations of this country for a brief period from June 4 to the end of September 1979. Following the general election, His Excellency Jerry John Rawlings handed over power to the late President, His Excellency Dr. Hilla Limann of the People’s National Convention (PNC), in a colorful national ceremony amidst pomp and pageantry.
Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings and other colleagues in the Ghana Armed Forces, dissatisfied with the PNC Government’s administration—which was considered volatile at the time—staged another coup to topple the Limann Administration on December 31, 1981. After a successful dispensation, he reassumed the position of Head of State under the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC), remaining in power until 2000 when, following the general election, he handed over power from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to former President His Excellency John Agyekum Kufuor of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
It is noteworthy that from the June 4 period of 1979, stretching up to the 2000 general election, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings was very vocal in Ghana’s political administration.
Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings not only actively supported her husband to realize his political ambitions but also made a lasting impact across Ghana by tirelessly advocating for women’s emancipation in social, economic, and political spheres.
Consider her dynamic role in the formation of the 31st December Women’s Group. She established various food processing industries in multiple towns and villages to empower women economically.
There were countless other initiatives through which she encouraged and benefited not only women but also numerous families, enabling them to lead meaningful lives. For instance, the family home of Nene Kofi Opey-Fiagbor in Adjikpo-Amlakpo, Somanya, was highly privileged to welcome Her Excellency Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings anytime she visited.
On a Saturday in early January 1983, she visited to seek the hand of one of our beautiful sisters, Lucy Kpodjie, for Alex Dautey, who was then one of her husband’s military guards at the Castle in Osu-Accra. How can we, as a family, ever forget such a diligent, graceful, and distinguished person like her in our memories?
Your Excellency, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, your loss is deeply felt and irreplaceable for Mother Ghana. We all join the Rawlings immediate family in Accra, the people of Asanteman, the Keta people of her late husband, and the National Democratic Congress, which she helped found, alongside the President and Government of Ghana, to mourn this loss.
To a highly beloved and illustrious daughter of Ghana: may Mother Earth lie lightly upon your body as your precious soul rests in perfect peace in the bosom of the Good Lord, until the resurrection day when we shall all meet again. Fare thee well!
DAMIRIFA DUE! DUENI AMANEHUNU!
By J. K. Tetteh Kpodjie
Concerned Citizen
Somanya
0557672086
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Sometime ago, money-doubling used to be a very lucrative trade for people who had the skill. But it all depended on the availability of street-lights, which were used as accessories in the money-doubling schemes. The more street-lights that were available, the more likely it was that money would be doubled.
Money has indeed been doubled for people—civil servants, pastors, journalists, and diplomats. People suspected of being naive and carrying cash were conned into believing their money could be doubled without chanting. All they had to do was place their money under a ‘sacred’ stone, then walk in a certain direction, counting ten street-lights in the process without looking back.
“If you look back, you’ll go mad, wallahi!” they were warned, to ensure obedience. After counting the ten street-lights, participants were told to return and collect their doubled money under the ‘divine’ stone with jubilation. And for a moment, it seemed real—the cash appeared doubled. The problem, of course, was that the entire sum was nothing but newspaper cut to fit the currency size. At first, victims would be amazed, thinking they were hallucinating, only to frantically realize the trick. Meanwhile, the money-doublers would vanish miles away with the real cash.
In this era, money-doubling schemes often occur around payday, when people have just received their salaries. Those with ¢80,000 in hand could be tempted with the promise of returning home with ¢160,000. But in reality, many end up empty-handed, learning the harsh lesson of the financial culture of today.
Not long ago, Edward Alomele, who claims he is “Original Alor,” collected his pay and walked leisurely home, planning to celebrate. A wayside lottery operator noticed his bulging back pocket and thought he could easily trick him into handing over the money. But Alor was no amateur when it came to finance.
The lottery man pointed to a display of consumer items—televisions, sound systems, cookers, water heaters—and explained the game. Alor tried a sample ticket and “won” a colour television instantly. However, since he hadn’t staked money, he was told he needed to hand over his pay to claim the prize. Alor, sensing the scam, studied the man’s reaction carefully.
He deliberately wore mismatched footwear—one red canvas shoe and one green—to signal that he was not an easy target. The lottery operator realized his mistake, apologized, and acknowledged that Alor was not a naive newcomer.
Despite widespread reporting on these scams, hundreds of people fall victim every week, losing a significant portion of their salaries. Many prefer to remain silent, ashamed of having been deceived. Some notable individuals, like Devine Ankamah, have managed to dodge these traps through vigilance and experience, but the majority remain vulnerable.
Even pastors and other respected members of society have been duped by money-doublers, proving that awareness alone is often not enough. As Merari Alomele notes, “When shall we ever learn?”
This article was first published on Saturday, August 5, 1995.
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