To police the adherence to the prohibition on drumming and noisemaking in Accra, a task force will be established under the direction of the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council and the traditional authorities.
The task force will be made up of representatives from the local assembly, the local police force, the relevant traditional councils, and faith-based groups.
In the meantime, religious groups are required, for the sake of peace and concord, to restrict crusades, conventions, and regular forms of worship to church facilities.
These were decided upon during an urgent meeting convened yesterday at the Greater Accra House of Chiefs in Dodowa, under the auspices of the RCC, as tensions rise over the adherence to the ban on noise-making as intended by the established authority.
A single committee made up of several interest groups has been suggested, according to a statement issued following the conference, to monitor and handle issues related to the observance of customs, traditions, festivals, and religious practises in the Greater Accra Region.
The committee, which has been granted the authority to judge compliance and breaches of a set noise level throughout the period of the usual prohibition, must receive all reports of such violations.
The Regional Coordinating Council (RCC), the Regional House of Chiefs, the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs), faith-based groups, and traditional councils will all have members on the committee.
The committee would be in place for six months, from May 25, 2023, to November 24, 2023, in order to provide a long-term recommendation and suggest a long-term resolution to issues posed by the current dispute to the RCC.
Act on Public Order
It was decided that the Public Order Act and the byelaws of the numerous assemblies in the area would serve as guidelines for faith-based groups.
Additionally, it was agreed that the faith-based organisations would only clap their hands at the lowest volume permitted in auditoriums and that they would only use microphones at lowered decibels, including public address systems.
Henry Quartey, the Greater Accra Regional Minister, spoke to the media following the meeting behind closed doors and stated his hope that the agreement will aid in finding a peaceful settlement to similar problems elsewhere in the area.
He clarified that there had been some miscommunication between certain local traditional councils. However, he emphasised that the authorised task force would implement the instruction in a disciplined way and would not enter a church to forcefully seize, vandalise, or assault anyone.
"The RCC confirms its position that it will protect the region's citizens and uphold law, order, and peace.
In order to ensure that there is a win-win scenario between the faith-based groups and the traditional councils in the execution of traditional rites and customs, the RCC is helping the Regional House of Chiefs.
On behalf of religious organisations, well-known evangelist Reverend Dr. Lawrence Tetteh showed respect for customs and pledged to uphold the accord.
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