President John Dramani Mahama has clarified that the government has not outlawed preaching in vehicles but is seeking to prevent the practice in moving public and commercial transport to protect road users.
He said Regulation 141 of the Road Traffic Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2519), does not prevent religious activities when vehicles are stationary, contrary to perceptions that the government has imposed a blanket ban on preaching in vehicles.
Speaking on the controversy, President Mahama explained that preaching and hawking inside moving vehicles could distract drivers and expose passengers, traders and preachers to safety risks.
“It has come to my attention that there is a perception that we have banned preaching in vehicles. What we are saying is that no one should preach or sell in a moving vehicle. Regardless of your faith, you cannot preach in a moving vehicle, but you can preach when the vehicle is stationed. It is not true that we have banned preaching in vehicles,” he stated.
Under the regulation, preaching and hawking in public and commercial vehicles while they are in motion are prohibited. Offenders risk fines ranging from 10 to 50 penalty units, imprisonment for up to eight months, or both.
The provision has sparked public debate, with some religious leaders and members of the public expressing concern that it could restrict evangelism and religious expression.
The government has meanwhile suspended the implementation of the provision prohibiting preaching and hawking in moving public and commercial vehicles as discussions on the matter continue.
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