Individuals who preach or sell goods in moving commercial vehicles in Ghana face a maximum penalty of eight months in prison under the new road traffic regulations. This represents a harsher punishment compared to the previous rules, which allowed for jail terms of up to 30 days or three months for similar offenses.
The Road Traffic Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2519), prohibit causing or allowing a nuisance, which includes preaching and hawking, in public or commercial vehicles while they are in motion. According to Regulation 141, offenders may be subject to a fine ranging from 10 to 50 penalty units, imprisonment for up to eight months, or both. With each penalty unit valued at GH¢12, the fines can range from GH¢120 to GH¢600. As a result, activities that are often observed in tro-tros and buses, such as religious preaching and selling goods to passengers while the vehicle is moving, may result in criminal penalties.
What has changed?
The restriction itself is not new.
Regulation 116 of L.I. 2180 had already prohibited individuals from causing or permitting nuisances—including preaching and hawking—on public or commercial vehicles while they were in motion. The key difference introduced by Regulation 141 of L.I. 2519 is the increase in the severity of the punishment.
Under the previous regulations, offenders were liable to a fine of up to 50 penalty units, imprisonment, or both. The new regulations maintain the fine range of 10 to 50 penalty units but increase the maximum prison sentence to eight months.
The tougher sanctions form part of the government’s broader efforts to promote discipline and enhance safety on the country’s roads. In September, the Minister for Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, launched a nationwide public education campaign aimed at familiarising road users and transport operators with the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 2025 (Act 1153), and L.I. 2519.
According to the Ministry of Transport, the new regulatory framework is designed to strengthen road safety, improve enforcement and ensure that road users are fully aware of their responsibilities. Other reforms include the introduction of automated traffic enforcement, a demerit-point system linked to driving licences, and tougher penalties for selected traffic offences.
Why preaching and hawking are covered
The regulation applies to specific activities when a public or commercial vehicle is in motion. It addresses preaching and hawking as forms of nuisance and is not aimed at any particular religion. The restriction also applies to individuals who sell goods to passengers inside moving commercial vehicles. The renewed public attention on this provision has sparked a debate about religious expression, the everyday culture of public transport, and the enforcement of traffic rules.
However, it’s important to note that this prohibition has been in place since 2012, so the new regulations should not be seen as introducing an entirely new ban. Instead, they enhance the potential consequences for those who violate the rules. The nationwide awareness campaign aims to help drivers, passengers, transport operators, and other road users understand the revised legal framework and adhere to the regulations.
