Don’t disturb our deities - Churches warned

An adherent of African traditional worship in the country have cautioned Ghanaians, especially Christians in the Greater Accra Region, to comply with the ban on drumming and noise making which precedes the annual Homowo festival of the Ga people.

Osofo Kofitse Ahadzi, a cultural anthropologist and senior member of the Afrikania Mission who made the call when he appeared as a guest on Class FM’s Executive Breakfast Show on Wednesday, May 10, opposed the suggestion that the ban on drumming and noise making be scrapped.

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) announced a ban on drumming and noise making which takes effect from May 8 and ends on June 8, 2017.

But the Glory Temple Charismatic Ministry petitioned the Minister of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Kofi Dzamesi, to quash the ban on drumming and noisemaking by the Ga Traditional Council.

According to the church, the ban is unlawful and breaches freedom of worship since Christians cannot sing or drum in their church during the period.

A statement authored by the General Overseer of the church, Rev. Samuel Korankye-Garry, said it does not augur well and does not make sense for Christians to be forced to observe a festival which is contrary to their faith.

“The church, according to our teachings and practices, observing this quietness or silence implies that we [Christians] are also indirectly paying homage to the gods or worshiping an idol which is against our faith and the teachings of Christ,” the statement noted.

However, Osofo Ahadzi has argued that the ban has spiritual significance and “our deities must not be disturbed” during the period.

He emphasised that the Bible, which is the Holy Book of Christians, instructs the followers to give “onto Caesar what belongs to Caesar”.

For him, the ban on drumming and noise making does not prevent Christians from holding their services.