The Public Relations Officer of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), Gilbert Nii Ankrah, has disclosed that although some churches are complying with the ban on noise making in Accra, there are still some challenges.
Mr. Ankrah indicated that his outfit has challenges with some of the churches which even created confusion that led to the taskforce seized the instruments and drums that were being used to generate noise in some churches on Sunday.
“In as much as some of the churches are complying, there are some challenges. Yesterday for instance, if you look at what the taskforce had to do with respect to areas they visited, you will see clearly that most of the churches, in as much as they were not playing the drums a lot of them were using the keyboards, using their microphones and there were loud speakers. If anyone is within their premise or outside their premise they could hear loud noise.”
Gilbert Nii Ankrah
According to Mr. Ankrah, although some churches would argue they have a large congregation and would have to use microphones to preach, that is not the issue. However, he indicated that the issue is with the volume of the microphone which disturbs the people around and goes against the ban on noise making.
Gilbert Ankrah disclosed that another complaint that has been brought to the attention of the traditional council is with respect to the sirens that the Muslims normally use during calls for prayers. He stated that this is a challenge because the horns create some level of noise.
“During this period, loud speakers positioned outside and indoors are all to be banned because we need a serene environment in preparation towards the Homowo.”
Gilbert Nii Ankrah
Christian council on noise making ban
Meanwhile, the Christian Council of Ghana (CCG) has charged churches in the Greater Accra Region to adhere to the ban placed on noise making.
The CCG stated that the ban on drumming and noise making is also a religious activity just as that of the church and so, such must be adhered to by all churches in the country, especially the Greater Accra Region.
“Before the ban, there was a committee that was made of the traditional council, the churches and other stakeholders to ensure that this ban was observed in absolute peace. It looks like every now and then some few churches still continue to make noise and sometimes draw the reactions of the council but it is important that once the ban is in force, we should do well to observe it”.
Christian Council of Ghana
These comments came after the taskforce which was formed to enforce the ban on noisemaking seized instruments of some churches that were caught flouting the ban during church service on Sunday May 15.
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