Banning preaching in vehicles will not succeed, we will even preach at the back of Okada – Rev. Bempah

Head Pastor of the Holy Hill Chapel of the Assemblies of God, Reverend Dr Kwadwo Boateng Bempah, has rejected the government’s ban on preaching in moving public service vehicles, insisting that the church will continue to spread the word of God wherever people gather.

In a message to his congregation that has since circulated widely on social media, Rev. Dr Bempah described the restriction as an attempt to silence the church and vowed that it would not succeed.

"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 shock the mouth of the church. But others are screaming early morning at 4.30 a.m. in loudspeakers. You didn't buy a bus for anybody. You say we shouldn't preach in the bus. When my bus is going, come and tell me," he said.

He maintained that Christian evangelism would continue regardless of the restrictions, arguing that the church would take the gospel to wherever people could be found.

"So today I sent the message. Who is behind that? The church is too quiet. People are secretly planning, planning, planning. I don't know who they are, but I'm talking to them. But you will not succeed. Oh, what you are trying to do, you will not succeed. You will not succeed. Wherever human beings gather, we will preach. Wherever human beings gather, the word must go forth. Wherever human beings gather, they go to the school. We bring them. They enter phone. We will bring them. They enter the car. We will bring them. Even at the back of Okada we will be shouting the name Jesus," he added.

Rev. Dr Bempah also argued that the church should not be timid in expressing its faith, saying Christians must remain vocal if they are genuinely grateful for their faith.

He said Christianity may not have reached Ghana if those who introduced the religion to the country had chosen to remain silent.

"Can I warn you? Never please people to displease God," he said. "Now you will get some educated Christians to come and start analysing. My friend, keep your certificate to yourself."

His comments come after the introduction of new regulations prohibiting preaching and hawking on public service vehicles while the vehicles are in motion.

The regulation, passed by Parliament in May 2026, classifies preaching and hawking on moving vehicles as a nuisance, citing the safety and comfort of passengers.

Under Ghana's Road Traffic Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2519), anyone who preaches inside a moving public or commercial vehicle, including buses and trotros, could face a fine of 10 to 50 penalty units, imprisonment for up to eight months, or both.

The penalty has been cited as ranging from approximately GH¢120 to GH¢600.

Preaching on commercial vehicles remains a common practice in Ghana, particularly on long-distance buses, where preachers often stand in the stairwell or move through the aisle while delivering their messages. Some passengers also give money to support the preachers.

The new regulation has generated differing views, with critics arguing that preaching on moving vehicles can be a nuisance and create safety concerns, including potential distraction for drivers.

Supporters of the practice, however, maintain that evangelism is a Christian responsibility and argue that religious expression should be protected under the freedom of religious worship.

Preaching on commercial buses was first prohibited in Ghana in 2012, with offenders facing up to 30 days in prison. However, enforcement was weak and the practice continued in many parts of the country.

The latest regulation increases the penalties for violations, although preachers who use megaphones at lorry parks and markets are not covered by the ban.