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4 clusters · 11 sources · 21 days · First seen · Last updated

Ghana suspends ban on preaching and hawking in vehicles

Overview

Under Ghana’s Road Traffic Regulations, 2026 (L. I. 2519), the government increased penalties for preaching and hawking inside moving public or commercial vehicles. Regulation 141 of the law established fines between 10 and 50 penalty units (GH¢120 to GH¢600) and increased the maximum prison sentence for causing a ‘nuisance’ from three months to eight months.

Following significant public backlash and criticism from religious leaders who viewed the rule as an infringement on religious expression, the Ghanaian government suspended the implementation of the regulation. President John Dramani Mahama clarified that the measure was a road safety intervention designed to prevent driver distraction and protect passengers, preachers, and traders from injury during sudden braking. He emphasized that preaching remains permitted when vehicles are stationary at stations.

While many religious leaders initially vowed to defy the regulation, some clergy members have since shifted their stance. Apostle Isaac Owusu Bempah of Glorious Word Power Ministries International expressed support for the measure, arguing that the regulation is an existing law focused on road safety rather than an attack on Christian freedoms.

Expanding this support, Osofo Komfo Kove, Head of the Afrikania Mission, also backed the restrictions. Kove argued that commercial vehicles should not be treated as ‘church auditoriums’ and noted that the practice can lead to passenger confrontations or expose African Traditional Religion to ‘denigrating remarks’ when preachers make provocative statements. The government has initiated further consultations to address stakeholder concerns.

Entities

Ghana · John Dramani Mahama · Ministry of Transport · Osofo Komfo Atsu Kove · Afrikania Mission

Timeline

  1. [POLITICS] 3 sources
    Afrikania Mission supports restrictions on preaching in moving vehicles

    The Afrikania Mission supports banning preaching in moving commercial vehicles to prevent passenger conflict and religious denigration of African Traditional Religion.

  2. [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Ghana President clarifies ban on preaching in moving vehicles

    President Mahama clarified that Ghana's ban on preaching and hawking in moving vehicles is for road safety, not to restrict religion. Some pastors have now reversed their stance to support the measure.

  3. [POLITICS] 10 sources
    Ghana suspends ban on preaching and hawking in moving vehicles

    Ghana has suspended a regulation banning preaching and hawking in moving commercial vehicles following public outcry and concerns over religious freedom.

  4. [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Ghana increases jail terms for preaching and hawking in moving vehicles

    Ghana's new 2026 road traffic regulations increase the maximum jail term for preaching or hawking in moving commercial vehicles from three months to eight months.

Sources

3news.com · abcnewsgh.com · angelonline.com.gh · chale.news · ghanaguardian.com · ghananewss.com · kastlefmonline.com · myjoyonline.com · mynewsgh.com · myrepubliconline.com · todaygh.com

This summary has been updated 4 times: see revision history