It’s that time of the year again in Accra, as the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has announced a month-long ban on drumming and noisemaking from Monday, May 15 to Thursday, June 15, 2023.
In a statement signed by Mr Gilbert Nii Ankrah, the Head of Public Affairs on behalf of the Chief Executive of the Assembly, the AMA has issued guidelines in the interest of peace, harmony, and national security. The statement urged churches to conduct their activities within their premises during the period of the ban and to refrain from using musical instruments. It also prohibited positioning of loudspeakers outside the premises of churches, mosques, and pubs, and requested that roadside evangelists cease their activities during this period.
Furthermore, religious bodies and the Traditional Authorities have been called upon to show respect for each other and restrain their followers from making derogatory and inflammatory remarks about the beliefs and practices of one another.
The Ga Traditional Council has also announced guidelines, which include a ban on funeral rites and related activities.
The AMA has set up an identifiable task force consisting 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, the statement said.
All persons, towns, and villages within the Ga Traditional Area have been called upon to cooperate and comply with the directive accordingly during this period.
For the most part, the annual ban is aimed at promoting peace, harmony, and security during the festive season. It is important for residents and visitors in the metropolis to abide by these guidelines to ensure that the period is a peaceful one.