Stephen Asamoah Boateng
The Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs has appealed to residents within the Greater Accra region to adhere to the ban on drumming and noise-making as directed by the Ga Traditional Council.
The ban which took effect on Monday, 15th May to 15th June 2023 is an annual traditional rite that precedes the celebration of the Homowo Festival referred to as “Odadaa” by the chiefs and people of Ga Mashie, requires silence and tranquility for more than a month after the ritual planting of the crops.
A press statement signed by the Chief Director, Halima Yakubu noted that following engagement with stakeholders, the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs and the GA Traditional Council on the ban on drumming and noise making have made some clarifications in accordance with press release by the council.
It’s stated that, “The clergy could use microphones at reduced volumes, and this includes public address systems in church auditoriums. Clapping of hands at a minimum level is permissible in church auditoriums only.
It added that, “The Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs entreats all and sundry to abide by customs and traditions in GA Traditional area. In addition, it observes the ban on drumming and noise making in another subsequent traditional area as the case may be”.
The press statement is contrary to the earlier directive by the Ga Traditional Council which indicated that the ban would affect any form of noise-making, including the use of loudspeakers, drums, tambourines, roadside evangelism, clapping of hands and any form of musical instruments within the Ga State as well as the holding of funerals.
Meanwhile, the Ga Traditional Council has warned people who enforce the directive without the appropriate tags or are not members of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA).
It said anyone found guilty or involved in the act would be sanctioned.
BY Prince Fiifi Yorke