Ghana has begun enforcing a new law that prohibits preaching on moving commercial vehicles, including buses. The law, which was passed in May and enforced in recent weeks, classifies both preaching and hawking on moving public vehicles as a nuisance. Anyone caught faces up to eight months in prison, a fine of up to $52, or both. The law aims to promote passenger safety and comfort, as preaching on buses can be a distraction for drivers.
The practice of bus preaching has been a long-standing tradition in Ghana, with pastors often boarding buses and preaching to passengers during trips. However, many passengers have complained about being cornered into paying money to preachers during these sermons. Some passengers, like Chery Lokko, find the preaching, noise, and close physical contact a nuisance, while others, like Bernice Nartey, believe pastors should still be allowed to preach, but only with the consent of passengers.
Pastor Boateng Bismark James, 61, of Gospel Light church, is one of the pastors affected by the new law. He leads a group of believers in drumming, dancing, and prayer for drivers and travelers before boarding buses bound for cities like Kumasi. Boateng claims that bus preaching has financially supported his family, including helping pay for his last child's university education through gifts from passengers. He is appealing for an exemption that would let pastors preach only while a bus is still within Accra.
The Christian Council of Ghana has not commented on the new law, but Reverend Enoch Paul Hayes, a senior pastor at the International Central Gospel Church, has urged fellow pastors to obey the law. Hayes suggests using social media as an alternative platform to reach large audiences without breaking transport rules. The debate on the new law has sparked a discussion on the balance between religious expression and passenger rights.
The new law has been in the making for some time, with Ghana first banning preaching on commercial vehicles in 2012. However, enforcement was weak, and the practice continued largely unchecked for over a decade. The current law aims to address the concerns of passengers who feel that preaching on buses is a nuisance. The law also highlights the tension between freedom of religion and public safety.
The enforcement of the new law has significant implications for pastors like Boateng, who now face a choice between adapting their ministry, losing a source of income, or risking arrest and fines. The law affects not only pastors but also passengers who rely on buses for long-distance travel. The debate on the new law has sparked a national conversation on the balance between faith and passenger comfort.
As enforcement is already underway, it remains to be seen how the new law will be implemented and what exemptions, if any, will be granted. The Christian community is likely to continue advocating for their rights, while passengers will be watching to see how the law affects their daily commute. The government will need to navigate the complex issues surrounding freedom of religion and public safety.
Key points
- The new law in Ghana bans preaching on moving commercial vehicles, with offenders facing up to eight months in prison or a fine of up to $52.
- The law aims to promote passenger safety and comfort, but has sparked debate on the balance between faith and passenger rights.
- Pastors affected by the law, such as Pastor Boateng, are appealing for exemptions to continue their ministry.
