The tradition of preachers sharing the gospel on Ghana’s public buses may now be a thing of the past, as authorities enforce new traffic laws. 

Regulations prohibit preaching or hawking on public service vehicles while in motion, punishable with up to eight months in prison or a fine equivalent to £39. While passed by parliament in May, BBC Africa reports the law has only been implemented in the past few weeks. 

Authorities have said the new rules would improve passenger safety and comfort, classifying the activity as a nuisance. 

Those opposed to the law believe this form of evangelism should be protected under religious freedom rights in the constitution. But Rev Enoch Paul Hayes, senior pastor at the International Central Gospel Church, told the BBC he did not think the law violated religious freedom. 

It is being introduced alongside wider road traffic reforms, with tougher penalties for serious offences to reduce crashes. 

Seven in ten people identify as Christian in Ghana, according to the 2021 census. 

The Nigerian parliament has also considered a similar law which would restrict preaching on buses for safety reasons.