President John Dramani Mahama has clarified that the government has not imposed a blanket ban on preaching in public transport vehicles, explaining that the restriction applies to preaching and hawking while vehicles are in motion.

The President said preachers could enter and preach in vehicles stationed at terminals or loading points but must stop once the vehicles begin moving.

His clarification follows public concerns over Regulation 141 of the Road Traffic Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2519), which prohibits preaching and hawking in moving public and commercial vehicles.

Speaking during an inspection of construction works on the Tepa-Goaso Road, Mahama said the government had no intention of prohibiting the preaching of the Gospel in vehicles altogether.

“It has come to my attention that there is a perception that we have banned preaching in vehicles,” he said, adding that the restriction concerned activities carried out inside moving vehicles, regardless of the faith of those involved.

“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 stationary,” he stated.

Road safety concerns

The President explained that the measure was intended to protect drivers, passengers, preachers and traders from risks associated with activities inside moving vehicles.

According to him, preaching, selling goods and advertising medicines while a vehicle is in motion could distract drivers and compromise their concentration on the road.

He also warned that preachers and traders standing inside moving vehicles could sustain injuries if a driver suddenly applied the brakes.

Mahama maintained that the restriction was a road safety measure rather than an attempt to curtail religious expression. He urged religious leaders, traders, transport operators and other road users to understand the distinction between activities permitted in stationary vehicles and those prohibited in moving ones.

What the regulation says

Regulation 141 of L.I. 2519 prohibits preaching and hawking in public and commercial vehicles while they are in motion.

Reports on the provision indicate that offenders could face fines ranging from 10 to 50 penalty units, imprisonment for up to eight months, or both.

The prohibition is not entirely new. Previous road traffic regulations also restricted preaching and hawking in public or commercial vehicles while in motion. The new regulations have brought renewed attention to the provision and its enforcement.

Government suspends implementation

The controversy has attracted criticism from some religious leaders and members of the public, who have raised concerns about the implications of the restriction for evangelism and religious expression.

Citi News and MyJoyOnline reported on October 9 that the government had suspended implementation of the provision following public backlash, with further consultations expected on the matter.

The reported suspension is an important development in the ongoing debate. It distinguishes the wording of the regulation from the government's immediate enforcement position, which may change following consultations.

Mahama urges compliance

The President appealed to preachers, traders and transport operators to cooperate with the authorities and observe road safety requirements.

He reiterated that preaching in a stationary vehicle was not prohibited under the restriction, while preaching and selling inside a moving public or commercial vehicle remained the conduct addressed by the regulation.

The government's next steps, including the outcome of consultations and any formal changes to implementation, will be important in determining how the provision is applied.

For now, Mahama's clarification is that the restriction is not a blanket prohibition on preaching in vehicles but a measure directed at preaching and hawking while public and commercial vehicles are in motion.

Photo courtesy: H. E. John Dramani Mahama