Female Bus Driver Recounts Encounters With Ghosts, Dwarfs And Armed Robbers On Ghanaian Roads

A female commercial bus driver, Madam Florence Marfo, shares some of the frightening and unusual experiences

A female commercial bus driver, Madam Florence Marfo, has shared some of the frightening and unusual experiences she has encountered while working on long-distance routes across Ghana.

Speaking about her years of experience behind the wheel on Asetena Pa, hosted by Ms Eunice Akoto Mansa, she said there have been moments when she has encountered mysterious figures and unexplained occurrences while travelling on motorways, particularly during late-night journeys.

According to her, one of the most memorable incidents happened while she was driving towards Kumasi.

“I met a child in a white gown around a cemetery whilst driving to Kumasi. I passed by the child without any fear,” she recounted.

She added that such strange encounters are not uncommon during late-night driving.

“There are times I meet old ladies around 12:30 a.m. whilst driving,” she said.

The driver explained that many experienced drivers believe roads must be treated with respect because they predate motor vehicles. She also suggested that spiritual beliefs about natural features along highways influence how drivers approach their journeys.

“When you drive, you must respect the road you drive on because the road was present before you were born. There are also lots of water bodies along the road, which are believed to house spirits, and they can cause accidents,” she explained.

Because of this belief, she advised drivers not to be overly confident when travelling at night and to observe certain traditional driving practices.

“Whenever you are driving around 12:30 a.m. or so, you should use your horn when crossing bridges, water bodies, hills, mountains or four-way junctions,” she advised.

She said there have also been instances where she mistook spirits for human beings. In one case, a passenger later told her that a figure she had seen on the road was believed to be the spirit of a victim of a recent accident.

“I have seen spirits. Sometimes I think they are humans, but one day when that happened, a woman seated behind me later said it was a ghost from a recent accident,” she recalled.

To stay calm and focused during long trips, the driver said she relies heavily on her faith.

“Whenever I start my journey as a driver, I have a pen drive with gospel music that keeps me company. With the gospel playing, I know I am moving with the Holy Spirit,” she said.

She also stressed the importance of proper rest for drivers, noting that fatigue can easily lead to accidents.

“With the driving job, one needs to have a very good sleep. If you do not sleep well, you become weak behind the steering wheel. Even passengers sleeping can influence the driver to feel sleepy, so the only solution is to have enough rest,” she explained.

In another unusual experience, she said her driver’s mate once spotted three children eating by the roadside at an odd hour while travelling towards Wa. According to her, local beliefs in that forested area speak of dwarfs.

“Dwarfs exist. They are like old men in toddlers’ bodies with long beards,” she said.

Beyond supernatural encounters, the driver also recounted dangerous confrontations with armed robbers on highways. In one incident, she said robbers opened fire on her vehicle.

“They were waiting for us. When we got there they fired a gunshot which, thanks to God, hit the engine. I managed to drive to the nearest town but I was drenched in sweat and collapsed when I got down,” she narrated.

She also recalled another attempted robbery while transporting players of Wa All Stars after a football match.

“They used a cow to block the road, but I manoeuvred the vehicle and saved everyone from the robbery,” she said.

Despite the dangers associated with the profession, the driver said she remains proud of her work and encourages other women to pursue careers in driving if they are interested.

“I was a born-one when I started this driving job, and I advise ladies not to give up. I am even open to helping anyone who wants to do this kind of work,” she added.

-mynewsgh