The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has announced the commencement of its annual ban on drumming and noise-making, effective from today Monday, May 12 to Wednesday, June 12, 2025. The ban forms part of traditional rites ahead of the Ga people’s Homowo Festival.
In a public notice signed by Gilbert Nii Ankrah, Head of Public Affairs at the AMA, the Assembly directed that the ban will be enforced across all communities under its jurisdiction. These include Gamashie, Ablekuma West, parts of Kasoa, and areas around the AMA Head Office.
“This period marks a sacred time for reflection and spiritual readiness as the Ga State prepares to celebrate the Homowo Festival,” the statement said.
The restrictions cover churches, mosques, pubs, and street evangelists. Religious institutions are expected to hold their services indoors and without musical instruments or loud public address systems. Street preaching with amplification and social gatherings involving loud music are also prohibited.
The Ga Traditional Council (GTC), which plays a key role in the enforcement of the directive, has also placed a temporary suspension on funerals and related activities during the one-month observance.
The AMA called on residents and institutions to respect the cultural significance of the period, highlighting the importance of tolerance and mutual respect among the city’s diverse communities.
“We encourage everyone to cooperate and avoid actions or statements that may disturb the peace during this culturally significant season,” the Assembly stated.
The Homowo Festival—one of Ghana’s oldest and most celebrated traditional events—commemorates the Ga people’s triumph over famine. The lead-up to the festival is traditionally observed in silence, allowing for spiritual purification and communal harmony.
