Ghana Suspends L.I. 2519 Implementation Over Public Concerns

• The Ghanaian government has suspended the implementation of L.I. 2519, which prohibited preaching and hawking in moving public service vehicles.
• The suspension, confirmed on October 9, 2026, followed public debate and concerns raised by religious leaders and other stakeholders.
• L.I. 2519 introduced tougher penalties, including up to eight months imprisonment, compared to previous regulations, though the prohibition itself is not new.
• The Ministry of Transport launched a campaign to educate the public on L.I. 2519 and the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 2025, as part of broader road safety efforts.
• The suspension allows for further consideration of the measure, with no public timeline for a final decision.

The primary distinction introduced by L.I. 2519 was the escalation of punitive measures.

The Ghanaian government has temporarily halted the enforcement of a new legislative instrument aimed at curbing specific activities within public service vehicles. This measure, known as L.I. 2519, which sought to prohibit preaching and hawking in moving commercial transport, saw its implementation suspended following significant public discourse and objections from various stakeholders, including religious leaders. The decision to suspend the Ghana L.I. 2519 implementation was confirmed to MyJoyOnline.com by a senior government official on October 9, 2026.

This L.I. 2519 suspension Ghana means that while the underlying prohibition on such nuisance activities remains, the stricter penalties introduced by the new instrument will not be applied for the time being. The government has indicated that this pause is intended to allow for further review and consideration of the regulation and the concerns it has generated. However, no specific timeline or additional details regarding when a definitive decision on the regulation will be announced have been made public.

The now-suspended Road Traffic Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2519) specifically addressed the issue of nuisance activities in public transport. Under its Regulation 141, individuals found causing or permitting nuisances, including the act of preaching or hawking in a moving public or commercial vehicle, faced penalties. These penalties included a fine ranging from 10 to 50 penalty units, which translates to GH¢120 to GH¢600, or a custodial sentence of up to eight months, or both. This provision was designed to apply to common occurrences in vehicles like 'tro-tros' and buses, where religious sermons or the sale of goods to passengers often take place while the vehicle is in motion.

It is crucial to understand that the general prohibition against these activities is not novel. Existing legislation, specifically Regulation 116 of L.I. 2180, already contained provisions against causing or permitting nuisances, including preaching and hawking, in moving public or commercial vehicles. The primary distinction introduced by L.I. 2519 was the escalation of punitive measures. While the fine range of 10 to 50 penalty units remained consistent with the older rules, the maximum prison term was significantly increased to eight months, a notable toughening of the enforcement regime for Ghana public transport nuisance rules.

The introduction of L.I. 2519 was part of a broader governmental initiative to enhance discipline and safety across the nation's road networks. In September, the Minister for Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, spearheaded a nationwide public awareness campaign. This campaign aimed to educate both road users and transport operators about the provisions of the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 2025 (Act 1153) and the specific details of L.I. 2519. The Ministry of Transport Ghana L.I. 2519 framework was articulated as a means to bolster road safety, improve enforcement mechanisms, and ensure that all road users are fully cognizant of their responsibilities.

Beyond the Ghana preaching hawking vehicle ban, the government's comprehensive reforms encompass several other measures. These include the implementation of automated traffic enforcement systems, the establishment of a demerit-point system directly linked to driving licenses, and the imposition of more stringent penalties for various other traffic infractions. The rationale behind including preaching and hawking within these regulations is that they are classified as forms of nuisance when a vehicle is in motion, rather than targeting any particular religious group or commercial activity specifically. The renewed focus on this provision has ignited discussions concerning religious freedom, the prevalent culture within public transport, and the efficacy of traffic rule enforcement.

The temporary suspension of Ghana L.I. 2519 implementation carries significant implications for both enforcement agencies and the public. While the government reviews the instrument, the legal landscape reverts to the previous regulatory framework, meaning that nuisance activities like preaching and hawking in moving vehicles are still prohibited under L.I. 2180, but without the enhanced penalties stipulated in L.I. 2519. This creates a period of uncertainty regarding the future of these specific regulations and the broader push for road discipline.

The public debate surrounding L.I. 2519 underscores the complex interplay between regulatory efforts, cultural practices, and fundamental rights. The fact that the prohibition itself has been in effect since 2012, predating the new regulations, highlights that the recent controversy primarily stems from the proposed increase in punitive measures rather than the introduction of an entirely new ban. This L.I. 2519 suspension Ghana therefore represents a moment for re-evaluation, balancing the government's road safety objectives with public concerns and ensuring a clear path forward for compliance.

Lawyers and compliance officers should advise clients that while the general prohibition on nuisance activities like preaching and hawking in public vehicles remains, the specific, tougher penalties introduced by L.I. 2519 are currently suspended. This impacts the potential liability and enforcement regime for such activities, reverting to previous regulations until the government provides further clarity.

Source: Original reporting via MyJoyOnline.com