NDC communications officer hopeful calls for balance between religious freedom, passenger comfort and public order.
Nat Andoh, a hopeful candidate for Deputy Western Regional Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has called for a balanced approach to evangelism in commercial vehicles, arguing that religious freedom must be exercised with due regard for public order and the rights of other passengers.
In a commentary on Ghana’s admiration for Western standards and its approach to public conduct, Mr Andoh questioned why some Ghanaians aspire to the discipline and organisation associated with Europe and America but resist similar principles when they challenge established practices.
“We wish to be like them, but we do not want to practise what they practise,” he stated, highlighting what he considers an inconsistency in the country’s attitude towards discipline and respect for shared public spaces.
His comments come amid debate over evangelists preaching inside moving commercial vehicles, particularly trotros, and the need to reconcile religious expression with the comfort and rights of passengers.
Mr Andoh stressed that his position was not an attack on Christianity or evangelism but a call for consistency in applying principles of public order and mutual respect.
“This is not an argument against Christianity or evangelism. It is a call for consistency,” he said.
He argued that passengers who board commercial vehicles do so primarily for transportation and should not automatically be subjected to religious activities, particularly where other passengers may have different beliefs or prefer a quiet journey.
“A passenger who boards a trotro has paid for transportation, not necessarily for a religious service,” Mr Andoh said.
He maintained that while some passengers might welcome preaching during their journey, others might not, making consideration for differing preferences essential in a society that guarantees religious freedom.
Religious freedom and public order
Mr Andoh acknowledged that religious freedom is constitutionally protected in Ghana under Article 21(1)(c) of the 1992 Constitution, which guarantees freedom to practise and manifest one’s religion.
However, he argued that the exercise of this freedom must be considered alongside the rights of others and applicable public regulations.
He also cited the Road Traffic Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2519), as part of the legal framework governing preaching in moving public or commercial vehicles.
Drawing comparisons with the United Kingdom, he observed that freedom of religion and expression in Western societies operates alongside rules intended to maintain public order and protect individual rights.
According to him, the debate should not be reduced to whether evangelists have the right to spread the Gospel, but should also consider the circumstances under which such activities take place.
“The question, therefore, is not whether evangelists should spread the Gospel. It is whether a moving commercial bus, where passengers have different beliefs and personal needs, should automatically become a place of compulsory religious exposure,” he said.
Calls for consistent application of the law
The NDC communications officer hopeful further cautioned against selective application of rules, insisting that religious activities should not be exempt from reasonable regulations simply because they are motivated by faith.
“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,” he stated.
He was, however, quick to warn against the use of public order as a pretext for religious discrimination, stressing that any restrictions must be applied fairly and consistently.
“Neither should the state use public order as an excuse to discriminate against religious groups,” he added.
Mr Andoh called for an approach that safeguards religious freedom while taking into account passenger comfort, public safety and adherence to the law.
He said Ghana could learn from the principles underpinning systems in other countries without necessarily copying every aspect of their practices.
“Perhaps the real lesson from the Western world is not that we should copy everything they do, but that we should examine the principles behind the systems we admire,” he said.
He concluded that national development goes beyond the desire to live in countries perceived to have better systems, arguing that it also depends on citizens’ willingness to respect shared rules and coexist peacefully.
“Development is not merely about where we want to live; it is also about how we choose to live together,” Mr Andoh stated.
