Ghana’s New Bus‑Preaching Law Threatens a Sermon Tradition

Sun Oct 04 2026 01:54:48 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A new Ghana law that bans preaching in moving commercial buses could end a long‑standing practice and spark debate over religious freedom versus safety.

In Kumasi, pastoral leader Boateng Bismark James has been delivering sermons from the doorway of buses for a year, a practice now outlawed by Ghana’s latest transport regulation. The law, which risks up to eight months’ imprisonment and a fine of 52 dollars for any person found preaching on a moving vehicle, has divided citizens. Supporters argue that faith‑based outreach is vital, while critics see it as a safety risk. Pastors like Boateng fear losing a vital income source and a channel to reach those who cannot attend church. The nation’s constitution guards religious freedom, but the new penalty could push the practice underground or force it to adopt digital alternatives.

Ghana’s New Bus‑Preaching Law Threatens a Sermon Tradition

Before the headquarters of Ghana’s biggest transport hub in Accra’s Neoplan station opens, a line of eager passengers gathers around a group of worshippers led by the senior pastor Boateng Bismark James. The crowd offers praise and prayers as the preacher prepares to soar onto a bus bound for Kumasi, where he intends to sermonise for the travelling crowd.

A May bill, now in force, classifies any preaching or hawking on a moving public vehicle as a nuisance and a safety risk. Persons caught in breach can face up to eight months in prison, a fine of up to 52 dollars, or a combination of both. The regulation is an upgrade to a 2012 law that only mandated a 30‑day jail term.

Boateng, 61, says that preaching on buses is a way to reach people who cannot attend church on Sundays. He also notes that money collected from passengers helps him cover his family’s schooling and living expenses. “Because most people do not travel by rail or tram, the bus provides a platform where a message of hope can be shared,” he told reporters in Twi.

The new rule has sparked heated discussion. A passenger named Chery Lokko complained that the continuous preaching, including spitting on seats, disturbed her peace. Others, like Bernice Nartey traveling to Kumasi, praise the ministry but call for passengers’ consent, arguing that the message can offer a sing‑stay orchestra against stressful circumstances.

Pastoral leaders are now faced with a dilemma: adapt by turning to social‑media broadcasts or risk legal repercussions. Reverend Enoch Paul Hayes of the International Central Gospel Church tells colleagues that the law will not undermine religious freedom, as the nation’s constitution protects worship but allows for safety considerations.

While the law could curtail a beloved outreach channel, many hope for an exemption or a regulatory compromise that permits preachers to stop once the bus exits Accra. The debate continues as the nation wrestles with balancing faith, safety, and civil liberties.