President John Dramani Mahama has clarified that the government has not banned preaching in buses, explaining that the restriction applies only to preaching and selling in moving vehicles to ensure the safety of passengers, preachers, traders and drivers.
He said people were free to preach in buses when they were stationary at bus stations but had to stop once the vehicles began moving.
“Recently, I have heard that those who preach in buses should stop. We didn’t say that. When the bus is at the station, you can get in and preach. But we said that when the bus moves, nobody should sell or preach in the bus,” he said.
President Mahama explained that allowing people to preach or sell goods in moving buses could distract drivers and expose those involved to injuries, particularly when a driver suddenly applied the brakes.
He said the restriction was part of existing road safety regulations in Ghana and was intended to protect lives rather than prevent religious activities.
“This is because the driver’s attention might be on you. Apart from that, as you are in the bus talking, when the driver applies the brakes, you can get injured,” he said.
The President noted that the regulation prohibiting preaching and selling in moving buses had existed for years, adding that a new road traffic regulation had recently been passed by Parliament.
“So it is an existing law which has been in Ghana for years. But the new law, which was passed by Parliament just recently, is a road regulation which succeeds the previous L.I. It indicates that you are not supposed to sell or preach in a moving bus because it is for your own safety,” he said.
President Mahama further explained that people who sell local medicines and other products in buses could distract drivers by drawing their attention away from the road.
He stressed that drivers needed to remain focused on their primary responsibility of driving safely rather than being distracted by activities taking place inside their vehicles.
“Apart from that, as you are talking while some sell local medicine which gives strength, the driver also needs strength, and he might shift his attention to what you are saying and not focus on the driving,” he said.
The President said it was therefore inaccurate to suggest that the government had prohibited all forms of preaching in buses, reiterating that the restriction applied specifically to vehicles in motion.
“So if someone says we said no one should preach in the bus, it is not true. But when the bus moves, I beg them, stop,” he added.
President Mahama therefore urged preachers and traders to comply with the restriction whenever a bus was in motion, reiterating that preaching in stationary buses was not prohibited.
