The government has suspended the enforcement of a controversial road traffic regulation that prohibits preaching and hawking in moving public and commercial vehicles, following public debate over its implications for religious expression and evangelism.
The suspension comes amid concerns from religious leaders and other stakeholders about the impact of the restriction on the activities of preachers who commonly share religious messages with passengers on commercial buses.
The provision, contained in Regulation 141 of the Road Traffic Regulations, 2026, L.I. 2519, prohibits anyone from causing or permitting a nuisance, including preaching and hawking, in a public or commercial vehicle while it is in motion.
Under the regulation, offenders face fines ranging from 10 to 50 penalty units, imprisonment for up to eight months, or both.
The measure has attracted attention because of the place preaching occupies in public transport, particularly in Ghana, where evangelism on commercial buses is a familiar practice.
Critics have raised questions about how the provision would be applied and whether it could unnecessarily restrict religious activities in public spaces.
The government’s decision to suspend the ban has therefore brought temporary relief to those concerned about its potential impact, although the long-term implications remain uncertain.
It is not yet clear whether the suspension will be followed by a formal review of Regulation 141, amendments to the provision, or fresh guidelines on its enforcement.
The government is also yet to issue a public statement explaining the full terms of the suspension or outlining the next steps regarding the regulation.
The development leaves questions about the future implementation of the provision unanswered, as stakeholders await further clarification from the authorities.
