THE MAHAMA-NDC GOVERNMENT MUST RESPECT RELIGIOUS FREEDOM: THE GOSPEL IS NOT A CRIME!
The New Patriotic Party has followed with grave concern the controversy surrounding the prohibition of preaching in commercial vehicles under Regulation 141 of the Road Traffic Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2519). What is being presented as a simple traffic rule is, in truth, an alarming overreach of state authority that infringes on fundamental constitutional freedoms under President John Dramani Mahama’s administration.
President Mahama claims that preaching in a moving vehicle distracts drivers and poses safety risks, suggesting that Christians should limit their evangelism to stationary buses at terminals. This explanation collapses under the slightest logical scrutiny. Commercial drivers in Ghana operate daily amidst blaring car radios, loud passengers, street vendors, and vehicle noise. Singling out the proclamation of the Gospel as a unique traffic hazard is not only absurd, but it reveals a troubling desire to police religious expression using administrative legislation.
Under Articles 21(1)(c) and 21(1)(e) of the 1992 Constitution, religious freedom and freedom of speech are fundamental rights, not privileges granted or restricted by executive discretion. Threatening citizens with fines or up to eight months in prison for sharing their faith on a public bus is a direct violation of those constitutional guarantees.
Following swift public backlash and outrage from religious leaders, the government announced a sudden suspension of the regulation. But verbal assurances and temporary suspensions do not settle the law. An announcement is not a legislative repeal, and public anxiety cannot be dismissed with media explanations.
We in the New Patriotic Party demand clear, decisive accountability:
1. Repeal Regulation 141: The government must officially amend or repeal the restrictive provisions of Regulation 141 in L.I. 2519 rather than relying on informal, temporary suspensions.
2. Publish the Formal Directive: Executive announcements must be backed by official legal notices to prevent law enforcement agencies from harassing citizens.
3. Protect Religious Expression: Issue clear, binding guidelines to transport authorities and security agencies confirming that preaching in public spaces remains fully protected under the 1992 Constitution.
4. Transparent Public Engagement: Consult openly with religious bodies, constitutional experts, and transport unions before introducing regulations that impact daily communal life.
We do not oppose sensible road safety measures. What we oppose is using safety as a pretext to restrict religious practice and silence the Christian faith in public spaces.
President Mahama must understand that the fundamental rights of Ghanaians are guaranteed by the Constitution, not handed down as political favors. The Gospel is not a nuisance, and religious liberty is non-negotiable. The government must govern within the limits of the Constitution, respect the rights of all citizens, and stop trying to regulate how and where Ghanaians exercise their faith.
