Ghanaians who preach or sell goods inside moving commercial vehicles could face up to eight months in prison under the country’s latest road traffic regulations.
The provision has renewed attention on activities that are common on tro-tros and buses, particularly religious preaching and the sale of goods to passengers while vehicles are in motion.
The Road Traffic Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2519) classify such conduct as a nuisance when carried out on a public or commercial vehicle in motion. Regulation 141 provides for a fine of between 10 and 50 penalty units, imprisonment for up to eight months, or both.
With each penalty unit currently valued at GH¢12, an offender could therefore be fined between GH¢120 and GH¢600.
Although the punishment has become significantly tougher, the restriction itself is not new.
The previous regulations, L.I. 2180, already barred people from causing or permitting a nuisance, including preaching and hawking, on public or commercial vehicles while they were moving.
The major change introduced by L.I. 2519 concerns the possible punishment for breaching the provision.
Under the earlier rules, an offender could be fined up to 50 penalty units, sentenced to imprisonment, or face both penalties. The new regulations maintain the 10 to 50 penalty unit range but increase the maximum prison sentence to eight months.
This means religious preaching inside a moving tro-tro or bus, as well as selling items directly to passengers while the vehicle is travelling, could result in criminal sanctions.
The provision does not target any particular religion. It applies to preaching and hawking generally when they take place in a moving public or commercial vehicle and are considered a nuisance under the regulations.
The development forms part of a wider push by authorities to strengthen compliance and discipline on Ghana’s roads.
Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe reportedly launched a nationwide public education campaign in September to educate road users and transport operators about the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 2025 (Act 1153), and L.I. 2519.
According to the Ministry of Transport, the revised legal framework is aimed at improving road safety, strengthening enforcement and ensuring that motorists and other road users understand their obligations.
The reforms also introduce measures such as automated traffic enforcement, a demerit-point system connected to driving licences and tougher sanctions for selected traffic offences.
The renewed focus on preaching and hawking in moving vehicles has nevertheless sparked discussion about religious expression, Ghana’s public transport culture and how traffic regulations should be enforced.
But the regulations do not represent the introduction of a completely new prohibition.
The ban on causing or permitting a nuisance through activities such as preaching and hawking in moving public or commercial vehicles dates back to the earlier L.I. 2180, which came into force in 2012.
What has changed under the 2026 regulations is the potential consequence for those who violate the rule.
The nationwide sensitisation exercise is therefore expected to play an important role in ensuring that drivers, passengers, transport operators and other road users are aware of the revised penalties and understand what the law requires.
