KMA accused of aiding noise pollution

The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) is aiding noise pollution thus subjecting residents of Kumasi to unbearable noises in the Central Business District (CBD) of Kumasi.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has cautioned member countries including Ghana to be mindful of noise pollution. According to WHO, excessive noise seriously harms human health and interferes with people’s daily activities at school, at work, at home and during leisure time.

It can disturb sleep because cardiovascular and psychophysiological effects reduce performance and provoke annoyance responses and changes in social behaviour.

Over 16 street preachers have taken over the CBD from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm, subjecting people who are breaking their backs to eke out a living to all manner of noises, including vans with public address system which are set at full blast, advertising to people to come and buy their products in the name of God.

Now, the trend is spreading into residential areas such as Asafo, Fante New-Town, Asem, Kronum and other areas. Over the last two years, the KMA which appears to be interested in making money more than the welfare of the masses has been issuing permits to people who claimed to be men of God to preach with loudspeakers at various road intersections in the CBD and to collect an offering.

The Chronicle has gathered that some persons have contracted people who claimed to be men of God to preach in the metropolis, and rendering accounts to them from the preaching. In a telephone interaction with Most Rev. Yinkah Sarfo, the head of local Churches in the Ashanti Region, he told The Chronicle that the issue will be discussed at their meeting in the coming days to find a solution to it.

Meanwhile, the public relations officer of KMA, Mr. Godwin Okumah Nyame, has denied the Assembly is aiding in noise pollution. According to him, the KMA indeed issued permits at a fee to the preachers but have inspected their gadgets to make sure it is not harmful.

Mr. Nyame, however, explained that the Environmental Unit of KMA has directed the preachers to operate within a regulated noise decibel. He also said preaching in the CBD, is expected to cease by 10 am