A Ghanaian pastor, Dr. Michael Kubi, has expressed concern over the reaction of some church leaders to a new regulation restricting preaching and hawking in moving vehicles. In an article on Joy FM, Dr. Kubi, who is also a Christian, stated that he believes in the gospel and the mission of spreading the Word of God. However, he also believes that those entrusted with leading God's people must be held to a higher standard of conduct, wisdom, and integrity.
The regulation in question, Regulation 141 of the Road Traffic Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2519), prohibits preaching and hawking inside public or commercial vehicles while they are in motion. The penalty for violating this regulation is a fine of 10 to 50 penalty units, which is approximately GH¢120 to GH¢600, imprisonment for up to eight months, or both. Dr. Kubi noted that this regulation applies to everyone, including traders selling goods on a moving bus and preachers with a Bible in the aisle.
Dr. Kubi argued that the regulation does not restrict preaching in churches, at crusade grounds, in markets, or at lorry parks, but only concerns the use of moving vehicles. He also pointed out that this regulation is not new, as a similar provision was included in the earlier Road Traffic Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2180). The enforcement of this regulation recently sparked a reaction from some church leaders, who claimed that it was an attempt to gag the church.
Some prominent pastors have spoken out against the regulation, with one pastor telling his congregation that it was an attempt to suppress Christianity. A pastor who is also a Member of Parliament appealed to the President to scrap what he called a bogus regulation that would jail innocent pastors and evangelists. On October 9, the President responded that it is not true that the government has banned preaching in vehicles, but rather that preaching and selling are only prohibited in moving vehicles.
The government has since reportedly suspended the implementation of the regulation, although the details of the suspension remain unclear. Dr. Kubi believes that while the suspension may calm the situation, it does not settle the principle of the regulation. He argued that Christians should not automatically resist reasonable attempts to regulate activities that affect public safety, traffic, noise, movement, and the peaceful use of public spaces.
Dr. Kubi emphasized that the Bible places considerable emphasis on order, citing 1 Corinthians 14:40, which instructs believers to let everything be done decently and in order. He believes that Christians have a responsibility to conduct themselves in ways that respect others and reflect the character of God. Dr. Kubi also noted that human life is sacred, and safety regulations should concern Christians.
Dr. Kubi's key point is that a law regulating hawking or preaching in moving vehicles does not automatically amount to a prohibition on evangelism. He believes that Christians must be careful not to turn every disagreement with public policy into a spiritual battle between God and government.
Key points
- The regulation restricting preaching in moving vehicles applies to everyone and is not specific to Christianity.
- The regulation is not new and has been in place since 2012.
- The suspension of the regulation's implementation does not settle the principle of the law.
