Ghana’s bus preachers face tougher penalties under new law
A Ghanaian regulation now threatens people who preach or hawk on moving public-service vehicles with prison, a fine or both. Supporters say bus evangelism reaches people who may not attend church, while critics cite noise, passenger comfort and safety. Pastors must now decide whether to adapt, stop or risk prosecution.
Ghanaian pastors who preach on moving public-service vehicles face tougher penalties under a regulation that has begun to be enforced in recent weeks. The rule, passed by parliament in May, applies to preaching and hawking on vehicles while they are in motion. Offenders can face up to eight months in prison, a fine of up to $52, or both.
Authorities classify the activities as a nuisance affecting passenger comfort and safety. The practice is widespread in Ghana, where preachers often move through long-distance buses, read from the Bible and call on passengers to repent. At Accra’s Neoplan bus station, Boateng Bismark James leads worshippers in prayer before they board vehicles travelling to destinations including Kumasi.
Boateng, a 61-year-old pastor, said he preached on buses because some people could not attend church. He said passengers sometimes welcomed his message and that donations helped him support his family, including his children’s education. Not all travellers support the practice.
Chery Lokko said she preferred quiet journeys and complained about noise and preachers’ proximity to passengers. Bernice Nartey said preaching could offer hope but should take place only with passengers’ consent. The ban is not new.
Preaching on commercial buses was first prohibited in Ghana in 2012, but weak enforcement allowed it to continue. The latest rules increase the penalties, although preachers using megaphones at lorry parks and markets are not covered. Rev Enoch Paul Hayes of the International Central Gospel Church said the regulation did not infringe religious freedom and urged pastors to use alternatives such as social media.
Boateng wants an exemption, leaving bus preachers facing a choice between changing their ministry, losing income or risking prosecution.
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