The government has suspended the implementation of a provision in the Road Traffic Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2519), which prohibits preaching and hawking in moving public and commercial vehicles.

The decision follows public debate over the regulation and concerns raised by religious leaders and other stakeholders about its implications for preaching and evangelism in commercial vehicles.

A high-ranking government source confirmed the suspension to MyJoyOnline.com.

Under Regulation 141 of L.I. 2519, causing or permitting a nuisance, including preaching and hawking, on a public or commercial vehicle while it is in motion is prohibited.

An offender faces a fine of between 10 and 50 penalty units, imprisonment for up to eight months, or both.

With one penalty unit valued at GH¢12, the fine ranges from GH¢120 to GH¢600.

The regulation applies to preaching and hawking inside moving public or commercial vehicles. It does not constitute a general ban on preaching in churches or other public places.

Rev. Ntim Fordjour calls for repeal

The suspension follows renewed criticism of the provision, including an appeal by the Member of Parliament for Assin South, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour.

Rev. Ntim Fordjour, who is also Senior Pastor of Victory Bible Church International’s Higher Heights Sanctuary in East Legon, called on President John Dramani Mahama to intervene.

In a post on X on Thursday, October 8, he questioned why pastors and evangelists should face imprisonment for preaching in commercial buses.

“I begun evangelizing and preaching freely in commercial buses in Tarkwa around 2007. Now they want to ban preaching in buses. I risk going to jail if I continue preaching JESUS in buses,” he wrote.

He appealed to President Mahama to abandon the regulation.

“Mr President, please order them to abandon this bogus regulation which seeks to jail innocent Pastors and Evangelists - simply for preaching in buses. Now preaching JESUS in buses is described as NUISANCE?” he wrote.

Rev. Ntim Fordjour also questioned whether the regulation reflected the President’s position.

“Or this is also part of the unpopular policies your Ministers are pushing without your approval? Who is really in charge in this govt?” he asked.

He said he would continue preaching in public spaces.

“We will continue to PREACH JESUS in buses, on the street, on campuses, in markets and wherever we shall find souls. We will be undeterred by these anti-preaching regulations,” he said.

Restriction existed under previous regulations

The prohibition on preaching and hawking in moving public or commercial vehicles is not entirely new.

Regulation 116 of the previous Road Traffic Regulations, L.I. 2180, also prohibited causing or permitting a nuisance, including preaching and hawking, on a public or commercial vehicle while it was in motion.

The significant change under Regulation 141 of L.I. 2519 is the punishment.

The new regulations retain the fine range of 10 to 50 penalty units but increase the maximum custodial sentence to eight months.

The provision covers activities commonly carried out in moving commercial vehicles, including preaching and the sale of goods to passengers.

The government’s suspension is expected to allow further consideration of the regulation and concerns surrounding its implementation.

However, the government has yet to publicly provide details on the suspension or indicate when a decision on the provision will be communicated.

The development comes after the Ministry of Transport launched a nationwide public education campaign in September to familiarise road users and transport operators with the revised road traffic rules.

The broader reforms are intended to improve road safety, enforcement and compliance.