By Emmanuel Gamson
Takoradi, Oct. 12, GNA – Mr Nat Andoh, a Deputy National Democratic Congress (NDC) Western Regional Communications Officer hopeful, has called on Ghanaians to embrace principles of public order and mutual respect to help drive the nation forward.
Speaking on the conversations around the implementation of the Road Traffic Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2519), which sought to prohibit preaching in moving commercial vehicles, he stated that Ghana needed a balanced approach that protected genuine religious freedom while respecting passenger comforts, public safety, and the rule of law.
He said: “We often admire the Western world for its discipline, respect for public rules, organisation and protection of individual rights. Many Ghanaians aspire to live in Europe or America because of the systems and standards they associate with those societies.
“Yet, when we encounter practices that challenge our own habits, we sometimes resist them.”
Mr Andoh noted that the debate about evangelists preaching inside moving commercial vehicles in Ghana raised questions about why Ghanaians admired the standards of other societies but hesitated to embrace principles of public order and mutual respect when they challenged their traditions.
“This is not an argument against Christianity or evangelism, but a call for consistency because in countries such as the United Kingdom, freedom of religion and expression is protected, but it operates alongside laws governing public order, noise and the rights of others.
“Religious expression is not automatically prohibited, rather, the circumstances in which it occurs can determine what restrictions lawfully apply,” he added.
Mr Andoh said Ghana must also protect the religious freedom for the citizens, adding that a moving commercial bus, where passengers have different beliefs and personal needs, should not automatically become a place of compulsory religious exposure.
“We cannot demand discipline from our drivers, traders, public officials, and fellow citizens while insisting that religious activities must be exempt from reasonable public rules, and neither should the state use public order as an excuse to discriminate against religious groups,” he said.
GNA
Edited by Justina Hilda Paaga/Benjamin Mensah
Reporter: Emmanuel Gamson
Email address: [email protected]