Ghana cracks down on preaching aboard moving public buses
Ghana has introduced a new law banning preaching and hawking on moving public transport vehicles, with penalties including prison time or fines. The measure threatens a long-standing tradition of pastors evangelising passengers during bus journeys.
Ghana, a predominantly Christian nation, has enacted new regulations banning preaching and hawking aboard public transport vehicles while they are in motion. Parliament passed the law in May, and enforcement has intensified in recent weeks.
Offenders now face up to eight months in prison, a fine of up to $52, or both. Lawmakers classified both preaching and hawking on moving vehicles as a nuisance, citing passenger safety and comfort as justification.
For years, it was common in Ghana for pastors to preach aboard long-distance buses, standing near the driver or walking the aisle reading from the Bible and urging passengers to repent, sometimes for hours at a stretch. Grateful passengers would often give money to support the preachers.
One such preacher, 61-year-old pastor Boateng Bismark James, who has preached on buses since 2023, says many passengers cannot attend church on Sundays, making his roadside ministry valuable to them. The practice is also an important source of income for him, helping fund his children's education.
The new rules have split public opinion. Critics argue that preaching on moving vehicles is disruptive and a safety hazard, potentially distracting drivers, and point to other annoyances such as noise. Supporters counter that evangelism is a Christian duty that deserves protection under religious freedom.
Ghana's constitution guarantees freedom of religion, though such rights can be limited for public safety reasons. Preaching on commercial buses was first banned in 2012, but weak enforcement allowed the practice to persist. One senior pastor at one of Ghana's largest churches has urged fellow preachers to comply with the law and instead use social media to reach their audiences.
