President John Dramani Mahama has dismissed claims that government has banned preaching in commercial vehicles, explaining that the new Road Traffic Regulations are focused on road safety.
He said Regulation 141 of the Road Traffic Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2519) does not stop preaching entirely, but only prohibits the act inside a moving vehicle.
The President made the clarification for the first time after public uproar over the provision, which bans preaching and hawking in moving public and commercial vehicles.
Offenders under the law face a fine of between 10 and 50 penalty units, up to eight months imprisonment, or both.
According to him, preaching or trading in a moving vehicle can distract the driver and endanger passengers, preachers and traders themselves.
“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,” President Mahama said.
The provision has sparked criticism from some religious leaders and members of the public who argue it limits evangelism and freedom of religious expression.
Meanwhile, government has suspended the enforcement of that section of the regulation to allow for further consultations.
