Ghana cracks down on religious preaching in public buses

The renewed focus follows the introduction of Ghana’s 2026 Road Traffic Regulations in May and a government campaign to make people aware of the rules. Ghana’s Transport Ministry began a nationwide awareness campaign this month as part of efforts to improve compliance with traffic laws.

The new regulations cover a range of issues affecting public transport, including hawking in moving vehicles, overcharging passengers and stopping buses outside designated areas.

Under the regulations, preaching or hawking in a moving public or commercial vehicle is considered a nuisance. Anyone who breaks the rule can face a fine of up to about $52 (Sh6,735), up to eight months in prison, or both.

“We want every driver, road user, and person who is in the transport industry to understand clearly what this law means and also how it is going to be operationalised,” Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe said earlier this month.

The focus on preaching has drawn attention because sermons are a common sight on Ghana’s commercial buses, where preachers often speak to passengers during their journeys.

The rule applies regardless of the preacher’s faith and does not restrict preaching generally, but prohibits it while a public or commercial vehicle is moving.

According to Ghanaian authorities, the restriction is intended to protect passengers and prevent distractions that could affect drivers. 

However, the move has brought religious freedom into the discussion, particularly in a country where Christianity is widely practised.

Ghana’s constitution protects freedom of religion, although that right is subject to the rights and freedoms of other people. This has led to differing views over how the restriction should be applied on public transport.

Some Ghanaians support the restriction on grounds that passengers should not be subjected to unwanted preaching during a journey, while others argue that sharing their faith is an important part of religious practice.

The current enforcement push is not the first attempt to stop preaching on public transport in Ghana. The practice has faced restrictions since 2012, but weak enforcement has allowed it to continue, particularly on public buses.