⚡ Quick Answer
Ghana has suspended enforcement of L.I. 2519's ban on preaching in moving vehicles. But suspension is not repeal — Regulation 141 remains law. Here are four steps to separate preaching from hawking permanently.
On 9 October 2026, the government under President John Dramani Mahama suspended implementation of the L.I. restricting preaching and hawking in moving vehicles. This is welcome news. It followed respectful engagement from Christians, church leaders, transport operators and citizens across Ghana — including the CYBEV community.
But suspension is not repeal. Regulation 141 of L.I. 2519 remains on the statute book. This article explains what has changed, what has not, and the four reasonable steps that will settle Ghana's bus-preaching question permanently by separating preaching from hawking in law.
🔑 Key Takeaways
- The government has suspended enforcement of L.I. 2519's preaching restriction, as reported by a high-ranking government source.
- Suspension is administrative, not legislative — Regulation 141 remains law until an amending L.I. is laid before Parliament.
- Preaching is religious expression protected by Article 21 of the 1992 Constitution; hawking is commerce. They should not be grouped as 'nuisance'.
- The Church supports L.I. 2519's road-safety rules and asks only for a targeted amendment of Regulation 141, not abolition of the whole law.
- A Church-led code of conduct — consent, volume limits, time limits — can guide preaching without criminal penalties.
- Four outstanding requests remain: stakeholder consultation, published safety evidence, replacing jail terms with a code, and separating preaching from hawking.
📑 Table of Contents
- Thank You for Listening: A Grateful but Firm Response to the L.I. 2519 Suspension
- What Has Happened — and What Has Not — Under L.I. 2519
- One Down, Four to Go: The L.I. 2519 Scorecard
- Preaching Is Not Hawking: Why Regulation 141 Must Be Amended
- Amend Regulation 141, Keep Road Safety Intact
- Our Offer: A Church-Led Code of Conduct for Preaching in Vehicles
- A Clear Road Map for the Review: Five Steps to Settle the Matter
- Answering Fair Concerns with Respect
- To the Church: Finish Well and Keep Engaging Lawfully
- Closing: The Door Is Open — Let Us Walk Through It Together
- Frequently Asked Questions
Thank You for Listening: A Grateful but Firm Response to the L.I. 2519 Suspension
Ghana Bus Highway Sunrise
We give thanks. On 9 October 2026, the government under President John Dramani Mahama suspended implementation of the L.I. restricting preaching and hawking in moving vehicles. We thank the President and the Minister for Transport, Hon. Joseph Bukari Nikpe, for listening. We thank the church leaders, evangelists, transport operators and citizens across Ghana who spoke respectfully and made their case without bitterness. We thank the CYBEV community for being one of those voices.
Scripture teaches us to pray and give thanks for those in authority. "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty" (1 Timothy 2:1-2, KJV). Gratitude is the right posture for God's people — not gloating, not triumphalism, but thanksgiving.
Yet gratitude today must be matched by a permanent and fair solution next. The suspension is a pause, not a settlement. Our thesis is simple: thank you for listening, and now let us separate the Gospel from hawking — for good. This article sets out what has happened, what has not, and four reasonable next steps so that the matter is settled in law, not left to administrative discretion.
What Has Happened — and What Has Not — Under L.I. 2519
Ghana Parliament Building
According to a MyJoyOnline report of 9 October 2026, the government has suspended implementation of the L.I. restricting preaching and hawking in moving vehicles. The report, citing a high-ranking government source, said the decision followed public debate over the restrictions and concerns raised by religious leaders and other stakeholders. The suspension is expected to allow further consideration of the measure.
But we must be clear about what this means. The government has yet to publicly provide further details. No official statement, timeline or review process has been published. The suspension was reported by a government source, not announced by the President personally. It is an administrative pause — not a repeal.
Suspension Is Not Repeal
Regulation 141 of the Road Traffic Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2519) remains in force. It prohibits causing or permitting a nuisance, including preaching and hawking, in a public or commercial vehicle in motion. The penalty is 10–50 penalty units (about GH¢120–GH¢600) and/or up to eight months' imprisonment. The same prohibition existed in L.I. 2180 (2012), Regulation 116, with up to three months' imprisonment, and was rarely enforced. Parliament passed L.I. 2519 in May 2026, and enforcement began around September–October 2026.
Under Article 11(7) of the 1992 Constitution, regulations are laid before Parliament and come into force after 21 sitting days unless annulled. Suspending enforcement is an administrative decision. Regulation 141 remains law until an amending L.I. is laid and takes effect. Enforcement could resume at any time. That is why the Church must not mistake a pause for a settlement.
One Down, Four to Go: The L.I. 2519 Scorecard
Clipboard Checklist Ghana Flag
In our earlier article, The Bus-Preaching Law Demands a Response. Will Christians Stay Silent?, we made five requests. One has now been met. Four remain.
RequestStatus1. Suspend enforcement pending reviewMet2. Convene a stakeholder meetingPending3. Publish the safety evidencePending4. Replace the criminal penalty with a code of conductPending5. Amend the wording so preaching is no longer classed as a nuisance alongside hawkingPending
We thank the government for meeting the first request. Now we respectfully press for the remaining four, so that the matter is settled permanently and fairly.
Preaching Is Not Hawking: Why Regulation 141 Must Be Amended
Open Bible Next To Hawker Tray
This is the heart of the matter. Hawking is commerce. Preaching is religious expression. They are not the same, and the law should not treat them as the same.
Article 21(1)(a) and (c) of the 1992 Constitution guarantee freedom of speech and the freedom to practise and manifest any religion. These freedoms are subject to restrictions "reasonably required" for public safety, public order and the rights of others (Article 21(4)). But grouping preaching with hawking under the single label of "nuisance" mislabels faith as a disturbance. It treats worship as a public inconvenience.
What the Law Should Say
We ask the government to remove "preaching" from Regulation 141. If the government still wishes to guide religious speech in vehicles, it should use a non-criminal code of conduct, not a jail term. A code of conduct can address volume, timing and consent without criminalising the Gospel.
Note carefully: this protection applies equally to every faith. Muslims, Christians, and followers of other religions should all be free to express their beliefs in public spaces, subject to reasonable safety rules. We are not asking for a Christian privilege. We are asking for a consistent application of constitutional religious freedom.
Hawking is a commercial and road-safety matter for government and transport operators. This article does not argue for or against hawking. Our concern is preaching only. But as long as the two are joined in law, preaching will be treated as a commercial nuisance rather than a constitutional right. That is why the wording must change.
Amend Regulation 141, Keep Road Safety Intact
Ghana Road Safety Sign
Let us be clear: the Church supports L.I. 2519's road-safety rules. We are not asking for the whole L.I. to be abolished. L.I. 2519 is Ghana's full road-traffic rulebook and covers many road-safety offences beyond preaching — speeding, overloading, defective vehicles, dangerous driving. These are good and necessary laws. We support them.
Our request is narrow: one targeted amendment of Regulation 141. We want Parliament to lay an amending L.I. that separates preaching from hawking. This is not a demand for deregulation. It is a request for precision in law.
Why a Legislative Fix Is Better Than Administrative Discretion
Suspension is temporary. A legislative amendment is permanent. If the matter is left to administrative discretion, enforcement could resume under a different official or a different government. A clear amendment, laid before Parliament and debated openly, settles the question for good. It also gives police, drivers and passengers a clear rule to follow.
We therefore call on the government to lay an amending L.I. before Parliament that removes "preaching" from the nuisance provision in Regulation 141, while keeping all road-safety offences intact. This is the lawful, transparent and durable way to resolve the issue.
Our Offer: A Church-Led Code of Conduct for Preaching in Vehicles
Seated Preacher Bus Passengers
The Church is not here only to ask. We are here to offer. We are part of the solution. We propose a Church-led code of conduct for preaching in moving vehicles. This code would be voluntary, enforced by church bodies, and designed to protect both religious freedom and passenger comfort.
Let us be doers of the word, not hearers only. "Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand" (Philippians 4:5, KJV). Moderation and courtesy are Christian virtues.
Proposed Code of Conduct
- Preach only with the driver's agreement.
- Stop if passengers object.
- No loudspeakers or megaphones.
- A short time limit — for example, 10 minutes.
- Stay seated or hold firm; never block the aisle or the driver's view.
- No preaching while the vehicle is pulling out or in heavy traffic.
- No pressure for money.
- No insults to other faiths.
- Stop immediately when the driver or mate asks.
Church bodies — the Christian Council of Ghana, the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council, the Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference — should train and correct their own evangelists. We do not ask for government licensing or registration of preachers. Self-regulation is the Christian way. This code would demonstrate that the Church can govern itself with excellence and courtesy, making the Gospel attractive and the bus a peaceful place for all.
A Clear Road Map for the Review: Five Steps to Settle the Matter
Ghana Conference Roundtable Meeting
We respectfully propose five steps to move from suspension to settlement. These are lawful, reasonable and transparent.
- Publish the suspension officially in writing. Police, drivers and passengers need to know its status. A written directive from the Ministry of Transport would remove confusion.
- Direct the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service to stop arrests under the preaching provision during the review. Review cases already brought. This ensures no one is punished under a provision that is under review.
- Convene, within 30 days, a consultation with the Christian Council of Ghana, the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council, the Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference, the Office of the National Chief Imam, the National Road Safety Authority, the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and passenger representatives. This round-table should be inclusive and respectful.
- Publish any safety evidence behind the provision. If there is evidence that preaching in moving vehicles causes accidents, let it be published. If there is no evidence, let that be known. Transparency builds trust.
- Lay an amending L.I. before Parliament that separates preaching from hawking. This is the permanent fix. It should be debated openly and passed into law.
These five steps are not demands. They are a reasonable path to a permanent, fair and lawful resolution. We offer them in a spirit of cooperation.
Answering Fair Concerns with Respect
Smartphone Social Media Evangelism
We have heard the concerns. We answer them respectfully.
Passengers' Right to Quiet
Some passengers say they want peace and quiet on public transport. Some say preaching should happen only with passengers' consent. We agree. Our proposed code of conduct addresses this directly: preach only with the driver's agreement, stop if passengers object, and keep it short. Consent and volume rules answer the concern without criminalising the Gospel.
Other Faiths
Some worry that amending Regulation 141 would privilege Christians. It would not. The amendment protects all faiths equally. Religious freedom is for everyone. We are asking for a consistent application of Article 21.
Church Leaders Who Urged Compliance
Some respected church leaders have said the rule does not infringe religious freedom and urged pastors to comply and use social media instead. We respect their view. Obeying the law while asking for reform is exactly what Christians did. We are not in conflict with them. We are all seeking the same goal: a just and peaceful society.
Social Media as an Alternative
Digital evangelism complements, but cannot replace, reaching people without data or smartphones. "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?" (Romans 10:14, KJV). We must use every lawful means to reach every person.
To the Church: Finish Well and Keep Engaging Lawfully
Gratitude is not a licence. We must preach with excellence and courtesy so that no one can call it a nuisance. "Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation" (1 Peter 2:12, KJV). Our conduct on the bus is a sermon before we speak.
Keep praying for leaders. "The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will" (Proverbs 21:1, KJV). Pray for President Mahama, the Minister for Transport, and all in authority. Pray that they govern with wisdom and justice.
Keep engaging lawfully. Write to your MP. Support the code of conduct. Stay united with the church councils. Let us not grow weary. "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not" (Galatians 6:9, KJV).
Share this article. Use the hashtags #DoNotStaySilent and #SuspensionIsNotRepeal. Join the CYBEV community. Let us finish well.
Closing: The Door Is Open — Let Us Walk Through It Together
We thank the President and the government again for listening. The suspension of L.I. 2519's enforcement is a welcome first step. But the door is open, and we must walk through it together. Let us separate preaching from hawking — for good.
Let us not grow weary in well doing. "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not" (Galatians 6:9, KJV). Share this article. Join the CYBEV community. Together, we can settle this matter permanently and fairly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does L.I. 2519 suspension mean?
It means the government has paused enforcement of the L.I. restricting preaching and hawking in moving vehicles. However, Regulation 141 remains law. Suspension is administrative, not a repeal. Enforcement could resume at any time until an amending L.I. is laid before Parliament.
Is preaching in moving vehicles now legal in Ghana?
The law, Regulation 141 of L.I. 2519, still prohibits it. The government has suspended implementation, but the provision has not been repealed. Until Parliament amends the regulation, preaching in moving vehicles remains technically illegal, though enforcement is paused.
Why does the Church want Regulation 141 amended?
Because it groups preaching with hawking as a 'nuisance', mislabelling religious expression as a commercial disturbance. The Church wants preaching removed from the nuisance provision and, if necessary, guided by a non-criminal code of conduct rather than jail terms.
What is the proposed Church-led code of conduct?
A voluntary code for preaching in vehicles: preach only with driver's agreement, stop if passengers object, no loudspeakers, short time limits, stay seated, no blocking aisles, no pressure for money, no insults to other faiths, and stop immediately when asked. Church bodies would train and correct their own evangelists.
What are the next steps for a permanent solution?
Five steps: publish the suspension officially, direct MTTD to stop arrests under the preaching provision, convene a stakeholder consultation within 30 days, publish any safety evidence, and lay an amending L.I. before Parliament to separate preaching from hawking.
Does this affect other religions?
No. The amendment sought would protect religious expression for people of every faith equally. It is not a Christian privilege. Article 21 of the 1992 Constitution guarantees freedom of religion for all, subject to reasonable restrictions for public safety and order.
Conclusion
The suspension of L.I. 2519's enforcement is a welcome pause, but it is not a permanent fix. Regulation 141 remains law. The Church thanks the government for listening and now asks for four remaining steps: a stakeholder consultation, published safety evidence, a code of conduct instead of jail terms, and a targeted amendment to separate preaching from hawking. Let us settle this matter in law, for good.
We are grateful, but we are not finished. Let us keep engaging lawfully, keep praying for our leaders, and keep preaching with excellence and courtesy. The door is open. Let us walk through it together.
Sources & Further Reading
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