The Secretary-General of the Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL), Abraham Koomson, has called on authorities to enforce applicable laws and regulations governing religious preaching and commercial activities in moving public transport vehicles, citing concerns about driver distraction and passenger safety.
Speaking on Ahotor 92.3 FM with Nana Dogbe on Saturday, October 10, 2026, Mr Koomson argued that preaching inside moving commercial buses could distract drivers and make some passengers uncomfortable, particularly those who subscribe to different religious beliefs.
He questioned the need for religious activities to take place in moving vehicles when preachers could use designated public spaces or conduct such activities when vehicles were stationary.
“How can you concentrate and focus and drive the people safely to their destination?” he asked, stressing that drivers must remain fully attentive to the road to ensure the safety of passengers.
Mr Koomson maintained that enforcing applicable regulations should not be interpreted as an attack on religious freedom but as a necessary measure to protect commuters and maintain public order.
Raises concerns about religious freedom and passenger safety
The GFL Secretary-General questioned the fairness of allowing religious preaching to dominate the limited space inside commercial vehicles, noting that passengers may belong to different religious groups or traditional belief systems.
He argued that passengers should not feel compelled to participate in religious activities during their journeys, particularly when they cannot easily leave the vehicle.
According to him, religious leaders could preach at appropriate public spaces, including lorry stations, rather than conduct religious activities while drivers are navigating traffic.
He urged authorities to ensure that public transport remains a safe environment where drivers can concentrate on their duties and passengers can travel without unnecessary distractions.
Warns against the sale of unregulated medicines
Beyond preaching, Mr Koomson expressed concern about individuals who sell medicines and other products to passengers during journeys.
He warned that the sale of unregulated or potentially unsafe medicines could expose unsuspecting members of the public to serious health risks.
He said he was aware of cases in which people had purchased medicines from mobile vendors and subsequently suffered severe consequences, including deaths.
Mr Koomson noted that passengers might not have the necessary information to establish the safety, authenticity or suitability of medicines marketed to them inside moving vehicles.
He therefore called for stronger enforcement of applicable regulations to protect the public from potentially dangerous products and prevent commercial activities that could distract drivers.
Rejects political concerns over enforcement
Mr Koomson also rejected suggestions that enforcing restrictions on preaching in moving buses could affect the electoral fortunes of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC).
He questioned why the enforcement of laws should be influenced by partisan political considerations when passenger safety was at stake.
He argued that authorities should not shy away from applying the law because of possible political consequences or opposition from individuals who disagree with the restrictions.
The labour leader further questioned whether similar practices would be tolerated on public transport systems in Europe, America and Asia, arguing that Ghana should uphold standards that prioritise passenger safety and responsible conduct.
He reiterated that drivers must be able to concentrate fully on the road and that passengers should be protected from activities that could compromise their safety.
Mr Koomson urged the relevant authorities to clarify and consistently enforce the applicable rules, stressing that public safety should remain a priority.
Story by Stephen Kwaku Owusu Mintah