The Ghanaian government has introduced new road traffic regulations that increase the jail term for preaching or selling in moving commercial vehicles to eight months. According to the Road Traffic Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2519), offenders face a fine of between 10 and 50 penalty units, imprisonment for up to eight months, or both. This represents a tougher punishment than the previous rules, which stipulated a 30-day to three-month jail term.
The new regulations prohibit causing or permitting a nuisance, including preaching and hawking, on a public or commercial vehicle while it is in motion. This includes activities commonly seen in tro-tros and buses, such as religious preaching and the sale of goods to passengers while a vehicle is moving. The restriction applies to the specified activities when a public or commercial vehicle is moving and covers preaching and hawking as forms of nuisance, without targeting any particular religion.
The significant change under Regulation 141 of L.I. 2519 is the increased custodial sentence. Previously, under Regulation 116 of L.I. 2180, an offender faced a fine of up to 50 penalty units, a prison term, or both. The new regulations retain a fine range of 10 to 50 penalty units but raise the maximum custodial sentence to eight months. With one penalty unit valued at GH¢12, the fine ranges from GH¢120 to GH¢600.
The Minister for Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, launched a nationwide public education campaign in September to familiarize road users and transport operators with the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 2025 (Act 1153), and L.I. 2519. The Ministry of Transport says the new framework is intended to strengthen road safety, improve enforcement, and ensure that road users understand their responsibilities. Other reforms include automated traffic enforcement, a demerit-point system linked to driving licenses, and tougher penalties for certain traffic offenses.
The renewed public attention on the provision has triggered debate about religious expression, the everyday culture of public transport, and the enforcement of traffic rules. However, the fact that the prohibition has existed since 2012 means the new regulations should not be interpreted as introducing an entirely new ban. Rather, they increase the possible consequences for those who breach it.
The nationwide sensitization campaign is intended to help drivers, passengers, transport operators, and other road users understand the revised legal framework and comply with the rules. The change comes as the government steps up efforts to improve discipline and safety on the country’s roads.
The regulation applies to people who sell goods to passengers inside moving commercial vehicles. The government aims to improve road safety and discipline through the new regulations, which also include automated traffic enforcement and a demerit-point system linked to driving licenses.
Key points
- The jail term for preaching in commercial vehicles has been increased to eight months under the new road traffic regulations.
- The new regulations also introduce a fine range of GH¢120 to GH¢600 for the offense.
- The government has launched a nationwide public education campaign to familiarize road users with the new regulations.
