He said Regulation 141 of the Road Traffic Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2519), does not prevent religious activities when vehicles are stationary, contrary to perceptions that the government has imposed a blanket ban on preaching in vehicles.

Speaking on the controversy, President Mahama explained that preaching and hawking inside moving vehicles could distract drivers and expose passengers, traders and preachers to safety risks.

“It has come to my attention that there is a perception that we have banned preaching in vehicles. What we are saying is that no one should preach or sell in a moving vehicle. Regardless of your faith, you cannot preach in a moving vehicle, but you can preach when the vehicle is stationed. It is not true that we have banned preaching in vehicles,” he stated.

Under the regulation, preaching and hawking in public and commercial vehicles while they are in motion are prohibited. Offenders risk fines ranging from 10 to 50 penalty units, imprisonment for up to eight months, or both.

The provision has sparked public debate, with some religious leaders and members of the public expressing concern that it could restrict evangelism and religious expression.

The government has meanwhile suspended the implementation of the provision prohibiting preaching and hawking in moving public and commercial vehicles as discussions on the matter continue.

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In a post on X, Ntim Fordjour said he began preaching freely in commercial buses in Tarkwa around 2007 and questioned why the practice was now being considered a nuisance.

He expressed concern that pastors and evangelists could face imprisonment for preaching in buses, describing the proposed regulation as an attempt to restrict the free expression of their faith.

“What shall separate me from the love of God? Shall persecution or senseless laws stop us from preaching the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ freely everywhere?” he asked.

Ntim Fordjour appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to intervene and ensure that the proposed regulation is abandoned.

“Mr President, please order them to abandon this bogus regulation which seeks to jail innocent Pastors and Evangelists – simply for preaching in buses,” he stated.

He also questioned whether the proposal was part of policies being introduced by government ministers without the President’s approval.

“Now preaching JESUS in buses is described as NUISANCE? Or this is also part of the unpopular policies your Ministers are pushing without your approval? Who is really in charge in this govt?” he added.

Despite his concerns, Rev. Ntim Fordjour said he would not be deterred from preaching the gospel in public spaces.

“We will continue to PREACH JESUS in buses, on the street, on campuses, in markets and wherever we shall find souls. We will be undeterred by these anti-preaching regulations,” he declared.

He also referenced his book, Preaching Jesus, saying it was inspired by his passion for evangelism and his commitment to spreading the Christian faith.

His comments come amid concerns over the proposed restrictions on preaching in commercial buses and their implications for religious expression in public spaces.