The Greater Accra Region Permanent Committee for Conflict Resolution and Prevention said on Friday that all religious bodies have agreed to confine crusades and usual forms of worship to their premises and avoid excessive noise during the period of a ban on drumming and noisemaking.
Drumming and noisemaking beyond the levels prescribed by AMA byelaws shall be monitored by a joint committee comprising representatives of the religious bodies, the Ga Traditional Council, AMA and the committee.
This was contained in a statement jointly signed by Mr I.C. Quaye, Greater Accra Regional Minister and Professor Mike Ocquaye, Chairman of the Committee.
The statement said all reports of infractions and infringements of the prescribed noise levels during the stated period of the ban shall be referred to the standing committee, which shall have powers to facilitate compliance.
The statement comes against the background of persistent clashes between Christians and youths of the Ga Traditional Council determined to enforce a total ban on drumming and noisemaking. The Christ Apostolic Church at Osu and vehicles of worshipers and the Ghana News Agency were damaged when the two sides clashed about a fortnight ago.
Last Sunday, police arrested several youths who had gone to churches at Cantonment and Labonne after they clashed with worshippers.
The statement said in view of the unfortunate incidents that have occurred, the committee has directed that all parties "should adopt a give-and-take, accommodating and compromising approach as all rational people seek a permanent solution."
It said in any modern state, nobody or group of persons can be allowed to be their own peace enforcers.
"No one can take the law into his/her own hands. Any religious person or traditionalist who attempts to do so will be dealt with according to law."
The statement said in this connection, the monitoring group shall have the police to effect arrest whenever an infringement is noticed or reported.
"Every citizen who observes any infringement should report this to the Monitoring Team, Regional Administration or the nearest Police station.
"We ask all the churches to pursue peace like their Master Jesus Christ, abate every noise for the next two weeks and for the traditionalists not to attempt to take the law into their own hands."
The statement said in terms of modalities to enforce peace, the committee is inviting representatives of all stakeholders or interested groups to meet at the Office of the Greater Accra Regional Co-ordinating Council at 0800 hours on Saturday, May 26, Sunday, May 27, Saturday June 2 and Sunday June 3.
