Today, May 15, 2023, all drumming and noise-making activities are prohibited in Accra for a month.

The ban is a component of the Ga people’s preparations for the Homowo festival. In a statement, the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) asked people within the catchment areas to abide by the mandate and reminded communities within its control of the annual process.

AMA stated that any type of noise-making is prohibited, including the use of loudspeakers, tambourines, drums, funeral rituals, and roadside evangelism.

Henry Quartey, the Greater Accra Regional Minister, stated that the Regional Security Council will guarantee that the prohibition is strictly followed throughout the region.

It is imperative, according to Henry Quartey, that everyone in Accra follow the directive to the letter.

“I will hereby direct that with immediate effect, you will instruct your Divisional and District Commanders of Police to work with Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDCEs) to ensure strict adherence to the ban on drumming and noise making. There will be no exception, no police officer or any member of the security agency, is supposed to flout this.

“Ban on drumming, means ban on drumming. The MMDCEs are hereby directed to go back to their respective Assemblies and go to MESEC, DISEC, REGSEC meetings and invite all the faith-based groups in your Assemblies and communicate the directive to them.”
Henry Quartey

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) wants to let everyone know that this year’s prohibition on drumming and other loud noises will run from Monday, May 15, to Thursday, June 15, 2023. As a result, it has established the following rules in the interests of tranquility, harmony, and general safety: Churches are required to conduct their activities inside their buildings and refrain from using musical instruments while the prohibition is in effect.

Loudspeaker placement outside of places of worship, mosques, and bars is prohibited. Moreover, roadside evangelists are asked to stop preaching at this time.

“Religious bodies and the Traditional Authorities must show respect for one another and restrain their followers from making derogatory and inflammatory remarks about the beliefs and practices of one another. Other guidelines by the Ga Traditional Council (GTC) include a ban on funeral rites and their related activities.

“Apart from an identifiable task force that consists of AMA personnel, the Ghana Police Service and Representatives from the Traditional Councils with tags, no other person or group of persons should be seen or found enforcing the abatement of noise in the metropolis. By this notice, we entreat all persons, towns and villages within the Ga Traditional Area to cooperate and comply with the directive accordingly during this period.”
Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA)

Task Force Formed To Enforce Ban On Noisemaking

The Public Relations Officer of the Ga Traditional Council, Nii Lartey Anum Tetteh, spoke to the media on behalf of the Ga Mantse and made it clear that a task force had been established to bring cases against anyone who violate the established norm.

He stated that a set of instructions had been given to guarantee complete adherence to the order. He declared: “During the period of the ban, the usual form of worship should be confined to the premises of churches or mosques and noise levels be minimized to the barest limits possible.”

“Religious bodies and the Traditional Authorities must show respect for one another and restrain their followers from making derogatory and inflammatory remarks about the beliefs and practices of one another. The positioning of loudspeakers outside the premises of churches, mosques and pubs are banned. Roadside evangelists, are to cease their activities during this period.

“Apart from an identifiable task force, which consists of AMA personnel, the Police Service and Representatives from the Traditional Councils with tags, no other person or group of persons should be seen or found enforcing the abatement of noise in the metropolis.”
Nii Lartey Anum Tetteh

The Northern Boundary, which separates Accra from the Eastern Region, the Western Boundary, Odukpon Kpehe (Kasoa), the Eastern Boundary, the Osu, Ngleshie Alata, and the Ga Traditional Councils are among the boundaries that are reportedly affected by the prohibition.