The Director of Education, Research and Training at Ghana's Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD), ACP Alexander Kwaku Obeng, has called for strict enforcement of road traffic regulations. He emphasized that laws prohibiting activities like preaching and selling goods inside moving commercial vehicles are in place to promote road safety. ACP Obeng's comments come amid concerns that enforcement may be misinterpreted as targeting Christianity. He stressed that the goal is to protect passengers from distractions and discomfort during their journeys.
According to ACP Obeng, preaching inside moving buses can be distracting for passengers trying to concentrate, meditate, or prepare for their daily activities. He also noted that sick passengers may become uncomfortable or distressed by preaching during a journey. The restriction aims to ensure that public transport serves people with different needs and circumstances safely and peacefully. Passengers should not be subjected to activities they find distracting or distressing.
ACP Obeng also identified the sale of goods inside moving commercial vehicles as an activity that must be addressed under road traffic regulations. He emphasized that vehicles in motion should not become venues for activities that compromise passenger safety and comfort or distract drivers. Ghana's road traffic regulations provide a framework for managing road use, defining responsibilities for motorists, pedestrians, and transport operators, and preventing road crashes.
ACP Obeng raised concerns about illegal fees associated with road use and called for consistent enforcement of relevant rules by authorities. He referenced Ghana's road traffic legislation, including the Road Traffic Ordinance of 1952, the Road Traffic Act of 1959, and subsequent reforms like the Road Traffic Act of 2004. These laws have evolved to respond to changing transport needs and establish standards for road users.
The legal framework has been developed over the years to address the country's transport needs and establish road user standards. ACP Obeng emphasized that having traffic laws is not enough; effective enforcement is essential to achieving the intended results. He urged motorists, commercial drivers, pedestrians, and other road users to familiarize themselves with applicable regulations and comply with them to reduce road crashes and protect lives.
ACP Obeng made these comments in a telephone interview on Ahotor 92.3 FM's Adekyee Mu Nsem morning show with Nana Dogbe. He maintained that the law prohibiting preaching and selling goods inside moving commercial vehicles is not new and should not be seen as an act of hostility towards Christianity. The goal is to promote road safety, not target any particular religious group.
The issue has sparked debate, with some arguing that enforcement may infringe on religious freedoms. However, ACP Obeng stressed that public safety and comfort must be prioritized. The Ghana Police Service will continue to engage with stakeholders to ensure that road traffic regulations are enforced effectively and that the public is aware of the importance of road safety.
Key points
- The law prohibits preaching and selling goods inside moving commercial vehicles to promote road safety and protect passengers from distractions.
- ACP Obeng emphasized that enforcement is not targeted at Christianity or any particular religious group.
- Effective enforcement of road traffic regulations is essential to reducing road crashes and protecting lives.
