The Commercial Transport Operators of Ghana has announced a directive barring preachers and hawkers from conducting their activities in its vehicles while they are in motion, effective Monday, October 12, 2026.
The group said the decision was in compliance with Regulation 141 of the Road Traffic Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2519), which prohibits preaching and hawking in public or commercial vehicles while they are moving.
In a notice signed by its National Chairman, Asonaba Nana Owiredu, the association said drivers and conductors had been instructed to enforce the directive strictly.
“Effective Monday, 12th October, 2026, the Commercial Transport Operators of Ghana will not allow any preacher or hawker to operate in our vehicles when in motion,” the statement said.
It added; “All drivers and conductors have been instructed to enforce this directive strictly.”
The statement was also signed by Yaw Barimah, identified as the national public relations officer of True Drivers, and Charles Danso, identified as national chairman of the Ghana Committed Drivers Association.
Directive follows debate over road traffic regulation
The announcement comes amid public debate over the regulation, which seeks to prevent activities that could distract drivers and compromise passenger safety.
President John Dramani Mahama previously explained that the restriction applied to vehicles in motion, rather than prohibiting preaching in vehicles altogether.
“If the bus is at the station, you can enter and preach the Word of God, but all we are saying is once the bus starts moving, such activities must then stop,” the President stated during an inspection tour in the Ahafo Region.
However, media reports on October 9 indicated that the government had suspended implementation of the provision following public debate and concerns about its implications for religious expression.
The transport operators’ latest announcement therefore comes against the backdrop of uncertainty surrounding the implementation of the regulation.
The group maintained that its directive was based on the legal provision and instructed drivers and conductors to ensure that no preacher or hawker operated in its vehicles while they were moving.
The statement did not clarify whether the operators had consulted the relevant authorities following reports of the government’s suspension.
It also did not provide details of any internal penalties for drivers or conductors who fail to enforce the directive.
