Evangelism or Collection in God’s Name? The plight of Ghana’s captive passengers

Ghana's commercial vehicles have long been plagued by a culture of impunity, with passengers subjected to unsolicited preaching, fundraising appeals, and disturbances from self-proclaimed pastors. Despite a prohibition on preaching in 2012, enforcement has been lax, allowing the practice to persist. Passengers are left to confront preachers on their own, with authorities failing to intervene effectively.

Reports of clashes between passengers and preachers over unsolicited preaching are not uncommon, highlighting the need for clear authority and support from transport operators to prevent disturbances and ensure passengers can travel in peace.

One of the key issues is the ease with which anyone can claim religious authority. A stranger can enter a vehicle, declare themselves a pastor, and expect immediate acceptance of their authority. Passengers often have no way to verify the preacher's background, religious affiliation, or accountability. This lack of verification allows preachers to claim authority over passengers without challenge, raising questions about why everyone should accept a self-declared pastor's authority without question.

While religious freedom should not be curtailed, it does not mean claims of religious authority are immune to scrutiny. A bible or clerical collar does not guarantee an individual's integrity. Passengers should be able to question a preacher's conduct without being required to assess their spirituality. Silence from passengers should not be mistaken for consent, as exiting a moving vehicle is not an option and may result in losing a fare or missing an appointment. The expectation that passengers remain silent out of fear of confrontation is unjust.

Another concern is the financial incentives that can come with bus preaching. Preachers often collect money from passengers, which can provide a source of income for their families and fund their children's education. However, this financial incentive should not be ignored when defending the practice as pure evangelism. A bus preacher acknowledged that gifts from passengers help support his family and education, indicating that preaching can be a commercial endeavor.

If this practice continues throughout the day, successive groups of passengers become successive sources of income. This raises questions about the necessity and morality of repeatedly collecting money during a journey.

The lack of verification of preachers' identities and affiliations, combined with the financial incentives, creates a situation where passengers are subjected to a commercial incentive without their consent. If every religious group were allowed to preach and collect money during a journey, passengers would likely face even more disturbances.

Therefore, it is crucial to scrutinize the financial motivation behind bus preaching and consider whether the preacher would be as enthusiastic about their work if collecting money were prohibited.