Ghana President clarifies ban on preaching in moving vehicles

President John Dramani Mahama has clarified that the ban on preaching and hawking in moving vehicles is a safety measure intended to prevent driver distraction and protect passengers from injury during sudden braking. The President noted that religious activities are not prohibited in stationary vehicles, stating that preaching is permitted while a bus is at a station.

The regulation, known as Regulation 141 of the Road Traffic Regulations (LI 2519), has faced significant backlash from religious leaders who initially viewed it as an infringement on religious freedom. This opposition led the government to suspend the enforcement of the law to allow for further stakeholder engagement.

Despite previous resistance, some prominent clergy members, including Apostle Isaac Owusu Bempah of Glorious Word Power Ministries International, have now expressed support for the measure. Bempah argued that the regulation is an existing law aimed at road safety rather than an attack on Christian freedoms, emphasizing that it only restricts activities while vehicles are in motion.