Ghana’s parliament passed legislation in May that prohibits preaching and hawking on moving public service vehicles, with penalties including up to eight months imprisonment, fines of approximately $52, or both. The regulation, which began enforcement in recent weeks, classifies these activities as nuisances and cites passenger safety and comfort as justifications for the ban.
The ban has generated substantial debate in Ghana, a country ranked among the world’s most religious. Supporters of the prohibition argue that preaching by pastors in bus aisles or stairwells creates distractions that could endanger drivers and passengers, while also disrupting traveler comfort. Opponents contend that evangelism represents a fundamental Christian responsibility and should receive protection under constitutional guarantees of religious freedom. Some passengers, such as those interviewed for this report, express relief at the restrictions, citing concerns about noise disturbances and uncomfortable interactions. Other travelers argue that preaching provides spiritual benefit, particularly for individuals who may not regularly attend church services.
For many preachers, the new law presents an economic challenge alongside religious concerns. Pastor Boateng Bismark James, who has conducted evangelism on buses since 2023, relies on monetary donations from receptive passengers to support his family and finance his children’s education. He and others in his profession have requested government exemptions that would permit preaching during specific times or routes. Some religious leaders, including a senior pastor at a major Ghana church, have encouraged compliance with the law and suggested alternative platforms such as social media for spreading religious messages.
This represents a tightening of restrictions initially established in 2012, when preaching on commercial buses was first prohibited with penalties of up to 30 days in prison. Weak enforcement allowed the practice to persist, prompting lawmakers to strengthen penalties. Preachers using megaphones in markets and lorry parks remain unaffected by the current regulations. Ghana’s constitution provides religious freedom protections, though these rights remain subject to public safety considerations.
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