The Head Pastor of Holy Hill Chapel of the Assemblies of God, Reverend Dr Kwadwo Boateng Bempah, has stated that the church will continue to preach wherever people gather, despite a new law restricting preaching and hawking in moving public vehicles. The law, which came into force recently, prohibits preaching and hawking on public service vehicles while they are in motion. Rev. Bempah described the restriction as an attempt to “gag the church” and questioned why preaching on buses should be prohibited when other forms of public activity continue.
Rev. Bempah made the comments in a message delivered to his congregation and widely circulated on social media. He urged Christians not to remain silent in the face of what he described as efforts to limit the church's evangelism. “Never please people to displease God,” he said, adding that the church must remain vocal in spreading Christianity. His comments have sparked a heated debate about the role of the church in public life and the limits of free speech.
The new law, which amends the Road Traffic Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2519), increases the prison sentence for preaching in a moving public or commercial vehicle from three to eight months. A person found guilty may also face a fine of between 10 and 50 penalty units. The law has been in existence since 2012, but was not enforced until the recent amendment. The government has cited concerns about road safety and public order as reasons for the restriction.
Rev. Bempah's defiance of the restriction has been met with support from some quarters, with some arguing that the church has a duty to spread the gospel. Others, however, have expressed concerns about the potential consequences of preaching in moving vehicles, citing the risk of accidents and public disturbance. The debate is likely to continue, with Rev. Bempah and other church leaders vowing to challenge the restriction.
The restriction on preaching on buses is part of a broader effort to regulate public activity on the roads. The government has also introduced new regulations for okada riders, requiring them to belong to registered unions or companies. The regulations aim to improve road safety and reduce the risk of accidents. However, some have expressed concerns about the impact on the livelihoods of okada riders and other informal sector workers.
Rev. Bempah's comments have sparked a wider debate about the role of the church in Ghanaian society. Some have argued that the church has a duty to speak out on social issues, while others have expressed concerns about the potential for conflict between the church and the state. The debate is likely to continue, with Rev. Bempah and other church leaders playing a key role in shaping the conversation.
The government has urged okada riders and other stakeholders to comply with the new regulations, which are set to take effect in 2027. The Ministry of Transport has also launched a training program for okada riders, aimed at improving road safety and reducing the risk of accidents. The program is part of a broader effort to promote road safety and reduce the number of accidents on Ghana's roads.
Key points
- Rev. Kwadwo Bempah has vowed to continue preaching on buses despite a new law restricting the practice.
- The new law increases the prison sentence for preaching in a moving public or commercial vehicle from three to eight months.
- The restriction on preaching on buses is part of a broader effort to regulate public activity on the roads.
