Ghana has begun enforcing regulations prohibiting preaching and hawking inside moving public and commercial vehicles, with offenders facing fines, imprisonment, or both.

Under Ghana’s Road Traffic Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2519), preaching or hawking in a moving public or commercial vehicle is classified as a nuisance. Anyone found violating the provision could face a fine of 10 to 50 penalty units, equivalent to about GH¢120 to GH¢600, imprisonment for up to eight months, or both.

The regulation does not specifically target Christianity or any particular religion. Instead, it applies generally to preaching and similar activities carried out inside a public or commercial vehicle while it is moving. Authorities say the restrictions are aimed at improving road safety, reducing disturbances and preventing activities that could distract drivers or affect passengers.

The restriction itself is not entirely new. Ghana’s 2012 Road Traffic Regulations already prohibited preaching and hawking in moving public or commercial vehicles. However, enforcement was previously weak, allowing the practice to remain common, particularly on long-distance buses.

The renewed enforcement follows the approval of the 2026 Road Traffic Regulations by Parliament in May 2026. Ghana’s Transport Ministry has also launched a nationwide public education campaign to inform drivers, passengers, preachers, hawkers and other road users about the updated rules.

The development has sparked debate in Ghana, where preaching on public transport has long been a familiar practice. Some passengers and religious figures argue that public preaching provides spiritual encouragement, while others say passengers should be able to travel without unwanted sermons or excessive noise.

The regulations, however, apply only to preaching and hawking while the public or commercial vehicle is in motion. Preaching in other public spaces is not covered by this particular provision.