The ban on drumming and noise-making will commence on 10th May to 10th June 2021 the Accra Metropolitan Assembly ( AMA) has announced.
The ban which is an annual traditional rite that precedes the celebration of the Homowo Festival referred to as “Odadaa” by the chiefs and people of Ga Mashie, requires silence and tranquility for more than a month after the ritual planting of the crops.
According to the AMA in a statement signed by Head of Public Affairs, Gilbert Nii Ankrah, “during the period of the ban, the usual form of worship should be confined to the premises of churches/mosques and noise levels be minimized to the barest limits possible and all COVID19 Protocols (i.e. washing of hands under running water with soap, the use of hand sanitisers, the wearing of nose masks and physical distancing) strictly adhered to in the interest of peace, harmony and national security.
“Religious bodies and the Traditional Authorities are equally expected to show respect for one another and restrain their followers from making derogatory and inflammatory remarks about the beliefs and practices of one another…The positioning of loudspeakers outside the premises of churches, mosques and pubs are banned. Roadside evangelists are to cease their activities during this period; Apart from an identifiable task force that consists of AMA personnel, the Ghana Police Service and Representatives from the Traditional Councils with tags, no other person or group of persons should be seen or found enforcing the abatement of noise in the metropolis,” the statement added.
Read the full statement below.
The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) wishes to inform all residents in its jurisdiction that, this year’s ban on drumming and noise-making commences on 10th May to 10th June 2021.
It has therefore set the following guidelines in the interest of peace, harmony and national security:
1. During the period of the ban, the usual form of worship should be confined to the premises of churches/mosques and noise levels be minimized to the barest limits possible. In addition, all COVID19 Protocols (i.e. washing of hands under running water with soap, the use of hand sanitisers, the wearing of nose masks and physical distancing) should be strictly adhered to.
2. Religious bodies and the Traditional Authorities must show respect for one another and restrain their followers from making derogatory and inflammatory remarks about the beliefs and practices of one another.
3. The positioning of loudspeakers outside the premises of churches, mosques and pubs are banned. Roadside evangelists are to cease their activities during this period.
4. Apart from an identifiable task force that consists of AMA personnel, the Ghana Police Service and Representatives from the Traditional Councils with tags, no other person or group of persons should be seen or found enforcing the abatement of noise in the metropolis.
By this notice, we entreat all indigenes, towns and villages under the jurisdiction of the Ga Traditional Area to cooperate and comply with us accordingly during this period.
