Churches in Ghana are being reminded that they need an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) permit to operate legally. The EPA Act 1994 (Act 490) enforces this permit, and non-compliance could result in hefty fines and even the suspension of church activities. Hope Smith Lomotey, acting Volta Regional director of EPA, said that operating without the necessary permit violates acceptable regulations. Churches that have existed before the promulgation of the EPA law should also report to regularise their inclusion.
Lomotey raised the issue of noise pollution caused by some churches, which can affect public health, especially when the noise level is high over a long period of time. He warns that excessive noise can cause heart disease, sleep disturbances, and impaired cognitive functions. Additionally, noise is the second-largest environmental cause of health problems, after air pollution. The EPA director advises churches to build their projects with noise protection in mind, taking care to avoid high decibels, especially at night.
Apostle Dr Dela Quampah, the vice chairman of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Churches, welcomed the EPA’s outreach to the church and called on the church to comply with the regulations. He advised pastors and would-be pastors to plan church projects to embody all requirements, including noise protection. Quampah also appealed to churches to avoid sowing seeds of discord among their congregants and maintain political neutrality.
All in all, the EPA’s reminder to churches about the need for an operating permit and complying with noise regulations is a timely one. Church leaders should ensure that they follow these regulations to avoid the consequences of non-compliance. The partnership with the EPA could be a fruitful one if both parties work together towards building a just society.