Ban on ‘drumming and noise making’ begins May 11

The Ga Traditional Council has entreated the general public to adhere to all traditional rules when the ban on ‘Drumming and Noise making’ in the Ga Traditional area takes effect on May 11.

“The Ga Traditional Council hereby announces to the public that the Ga Homowo festival will commence with the Ban on Drumming and Noise Making from 11 May 2015 and end on 11th June 2015 with the Odadao celebration - Lifting of the Ban on Drumming and Noise Making”.

The Otublohum Mantse and Acting President of Ga Traditional Council Nii Dodoo Nsaki II made this known at a press conference in Accra to inform the general public about the programmes and activities that lead to the celebration of the 2015 Homowo.

According to him, the Ban on Drumming and Noise Making in the Ga Traditional Area should be observed under the following guidelines in the interest of peace, harmony and national security;

- All worship should be confined to Church premises; noise including hand clapping should be ceased;

- Positioning of loud speakers outside the church premises and the mosques to be banned during the period;

- Road side Evangelists should avoid the use of noise making equipment and the use of noisy musical instruments must be avoided.

A task force has been constituted to work in collaboration with the Accra Metropolitan Assembly and the police service to monitor and enforce the Ban on Noise Making in the Ga Traditional Area.

Nii Dodoo Nsaki II added that any institution that will flout the rules and regulations governing this year’s festival would be sanctioned.

“The Ga Traditional Council appreciates the cooperation of some of the major Christian communities during the period.

“The recalcitrant smaller ones are advised to take a cue from the major ones and cooperate with the Ga people.

"The General Christian Community and Traditional authorities must show respect for one another and restrain their followers from making derogatory statements about the beliefs and practices of another's religion,” he added.