Mahama: Preaching in public vehicles not banned; must stop when vehicle moves

By: Eugene Dogbatse Atsu
President John Dramani Mahama has clarified that preaching in public and commercial vehicles is not completely banned, insisting that preachers must stop when vehicles begin moving.

He said the restriction under the Road Traffic Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2519), is intended to protect drivers and passengers from distractions and prevent avoidable accidents.

Speaking during an inspection of construction works on the Tepa–Goaso Road on Friday, October 9, 2026, President Mahama said the government had not prohibited preaching in vehicles but had restricted the activity while vehicles were in motion.

“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,” he said.

“Regardless of your faith, you cannot preach in a moving vehicle, but you can preach when the vehicle is stationary. It is not true that we have banned preaching in vehicles,” he added.

He explained that the restriction was intended to prevent situations in which preaching or selling goods could distract drivers and put passengers at risk.

He warned that passengers and preachers could also sustain injuries when drivers suddenly applied their brakes.

“The driver’s mind may be focused on what you are preaching, and you could fall if the driver suddenly applies the brakes,” he said.

The clarification follows public debate over Regulation 141 of L.I. 2519, which prohibits preaching and hawking in public and commercial vehicles while they are moving.

Under the regulation, offenders face fines ranging from 10 to 50 penalty units, imprisonment for up to eight months, or both.

The restriction has attracted criticism from some religious leaders, who argue that it could interfere with evangelism and the freedom to share religious beliefs.

The Member of Parliament for Assin South, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, has appealed to the President to abandon the provision, arguing that it could expose pastors and evangelists to prosecution for preaching in commercial buses.

Rev. Ntim Fordjour said he had been preaching on commercial buses since around 2007 and questioned why the practice was now being treated as an offence.

Meanwhile, the government has suspended implementation of the provision following public criticism and concerns raised by religious leaders and other stakeholders.

The suspension is expected to allow further consideration of the regulation, although the government has yet to provide full details of its next steps.

President Mahama maintained that the restriction was intended to promote road safety rather than prevent religious practice, stressing that preaching could continue when vehicles were stationary.