Rev. Bempah Challenges Ban on Preaching in Moving Vehicles

The Head Pastor of Holy Hill Chapel of the Assemblies of God, Reverend Dr Kwadwo Boateng Bempah, has declared that attempts to stop preaching in public vehicles will not succeed.

In a message delivered to his congregation and widely circulated on social media, Rev. Dr Bempah said the church would not be silenced and insisted that the word of God must be preached wherever people gather.

He described the ban on preaching in moving buses as an attempt to “gag the church” and urged Christians not to remain silent.

“Now they say we shouldn’t preach in the bus as if they bought a bus for somebody. When those little attempts begin, they are trying to shut the mouth of the church,” he said.

He questioned why preachers should be prevented from preaching on buses while others are allowed to use loudspeakers in public spaces.

“You say we shouldn’t preach in the bus. When my bus is going, come and tell me,” he added.

Rev. Dr Bempah further maintained that the church would continue to spread the gospel wherever people could be found.

“Wherever human beings gather, we will preach. Wherever human beings gather, the word must go forth,” he said.

He said Christians could reach people in schools, on phones, in vehicles and even on motorcycles to spread the gospel.

“Even at the back of Okada, we will be shouting the name Jesus,” he added.

Rev. Dr Bempah also argued that a truly grateful church must be vocal about its faith.

He said Christianity would not have reached Ghana if the missionaries who brought the faith had remained silent.

“Can I warn you? Never please people to displease God,” he said, while cautioning Christians against allowing public opinion to influence their religious convictions.

He also criticised what he described as attempts by some educated Christians to analyse the issue rather than defend the faith.

The comments come after the implementation of the Road Traffic Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2519), which prohibits preaching and hawking on public service vehicles while they are in motion.

The regulation, passed by Parliament in May 2026, classifies such activities as a nuisance and cites the safety and comfort of passengers.

Under the new regulations, anyone found preaching inside a moving public or commercial vehicle, including buses and trotros, may face a fine of between 10 and 50 penalty units, imprisonment for up to eight months, or both.

The penalties are estimated at between GH¢120 and GH¢600.

The practice of preaching on commercial buses has remained widespread in Ghana, particularly on long-distance journeys, where preachers often move through the aisles while delivering sermons.

The new regulation has sparked debate, with critics arguing that preaching on moving vehicles can inconvenience passengers and create safety concerns, while supporters maintain that evangelism is a religious duty protected by freedom of worship.

Preaching on commercial buses was first prohibited in Ghana in 2012, although enforcement was limited and the practice continued.

The latest regulations increase the penalties for offenders. However, preachers using megaphones at lorry parks and markets are not affected by the ban.

By Esther Padmore Amonoo