The National Association of Concern Clergy (NACOC) has expressed support for the Government of Ghana’s call to prohibit preaching and other forms of religious solicitation in moving vehicles, citing the need to protect human life and promote road safety.
In a press statement issued on Monday, October 12, NACOC said the proposed measure was a necessary step towards preventing distractions that could endanger drivers, passengers, pedestrians and other road users.
The association said while evangelism remained an important Christian responsibility, it should be conducted in a manner that prioritised public safety and respected the rights and dignity of others.
“We believe this initiative is a necessary step towards protecting human life, promoting road safety, and ensuring that the practice of religion does not unintentionally put innocent lives at risk,” the statement said.
NACOC acknowledged the commitment of pastors, evangelists and other Christian ministers who preach in commercial vehicles, including buses and trotro vehicles, as part of their efforts to spread the Gospel.
However, it cautioned that loud preaching, vigorous gestures, movement within vehicles and pressure on drivers or passengers could create distractions and potentially compromise safety.
The association stressed that preventive measures should be taken before accidents occur, adding that the protection of human life should take precedence over the desire to preach at a particular time or place.
Quoting Proverbs 22:3, which emphasises the importance of foresight and avoiding danger, NACOC said Christian ministry must be guided by wisdom, discipline and a commitment to safeguarding lives.
Responsible evangelism
The association clarified that its support for the proposed restrictions was not an attack on Christianity, evangelism or religious freedom, but rather a call for responsible ministry.
It identified churches, community gatherings, hospitals, authorised public spaces, radio, television and digital platforms as alternative avenues through which Christians could share their faith without creating unnecessary risks on the road.
NACOC also cited Matthew 10:16, in which Jesus instructed his disciples to be “wise as serpents, and harmless as doves,” arguing that spiritual commitment must be accompanied by practical wisdom.
The association urged pastors, evangelists, lay preachers and other Christian ministers involved in public transport evangelism to comply with applicable road safety regulations and support arrangements that would prevent distractions to drivers.
Calls for dialogue and fair enforcement
NACOC called on the government, transport authorities, road safety agencies, transport unions and religious organisations to collaborate in ensuring that any restrictions were clearly communicated, fairly implemented and understood by the public.
It urged the authorities to engage religious leaders in dialogue and provide clear guidelines on religious activities in public transport.
The association further stressed that enforcement should be respectful and consistent, with a focus on public safety rather than the humiliation or unnecessary criminalisation of religious ministers.
It also appealed to members of the clergy not to interpret the proposed initiative as an attempt to silence the Church, but as an opportunity to reconsider how evangelism could be conducted safely and responsibly.
Passengers, it added, also had a role to play in maintaining safe travelling conditions by cooperating with drivers and transport operators.
Appeals to the Christian community
NACOC urged Christian leaders to examine their practices and make necessary changes in the interest of public welfare, noting that the Church’s mission should reflect love, compassion, discipline and concern for neighbours.
“A sermon should bring hope, not create avoidable danger. Evangelism should draw people towards God without exposing them to unnecessary risks,” the statement said.
The association warned against waiting for a road accident or the loss of a loved one before recognising the importance of preventive measures.
It maintained that protecting human life was consistent with Christian faith and represented a shared responsibility among religious leaders, passengers, drivers and the wider public.
In conclusion, NACOC reaffirmed its support for appropriate and clearly defined measures to address preaching in moving vehicles, while urging the government to continue consulting religious leaders and transport stakeholders to ensure a fair and practical implementation process.
The statement was issued by the association’s Secretary-General, Rev. Osahene Kwame Sefa Frimpong.
NACOC said it remained committed to promoting responsible Christian ministry, peaceful coexistence, public safety and the moral development of Ghana.
“Let us preach with conviction, serve with humility, and act with wisdom,” the association said, urging the Christian community to share the Gospel in ways that honour God and protect human life.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
