President John Dramani Mahama clarified that the government has not banned preaching in vehicles, stating that the Road Traffic Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2519) are intended solely to protect the safety of passengers and drivers.
Speaking for the first time after public criticism of Regulation 141, Mr Mahama explained that activities inside moving vehicles could distract drivers and endanger passengers, preachers and traders alike.
"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. Regardless of your faith, you cannot preach in a moving vehicle, but you can preach when the vehicle is stationed. It is not true that we have banned preaching in vehicles," he stated.
The regulation prohibits preaching and hawking in public and commercial vehicles while they are in motion, with offenders facing fines ranging from 10 to 50 penalty units, imprisonment for up to eight months, or both.
The provision has attracted criticism from some religious leaders and members of the public, who have raised concerns about its implications for evangelism and religious expression.
President Mahama’s clarification comes as the government holds further consultations on the regulation following the public backlash. Meanwhile, the government has suspended the implementation of the provision that prohibits preaching and hawking in moving public and commercial vehicles.
