AMA to close down 'illegal churches'

The Chief Executive Officer of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Alfred Vanderpuije has told Citi FM that his outfit would soon take pragmatic measures to close down all 'illegal churches' in the country.

According to him about ninety percent (90%) of churches in Accra are without permit to operate from their various locations adding that most of these churches are noted for noise making which causes nuisance in the community in which they operate.

His comments came in the wake of calls by a section of Ghanaians who have complained bitterly about the level of noise making by some churches, a development they say is against the rules and regulations of the city.

On Thursday 2 September the Adjabeng Court '2' in Accra, granted a GH¢5,000 bail with one surety to Pastor Richard Newman of the Ebenezer Miracle Worship Centre at East Airport Residential Area, for excessive noise making by the church members.

He pleaded not guilty and the court granted him bail to reappear in court on September 30, 2010. His counsel, Mr. Samuel Wood pleaded for time to study documents tended to the court.

Speaking on Citi FM’s Sunday Gospel show the Mayor of Accra said the task force unit of the AMA would be deployed to clamp down on all illegal churches. He added that all church leaders in the capital were recently educated on the level of noise they are allowed to make during church service.

“The city authority does not grant permit for churches to build in residential areas, before we grant permit for the location of a church we take several things into consideration… if it is a zone for residential area we don’t allow churches but what has happened is that so many churches especially these small churches, the individually founded churches…I can guarantee you that 90% of some these churches have no permit. They have no permit even for the buildings that they occupy”.

“We have a task force that is clamping them down, so if a church is located in a particular area and if we have given them permit then they have to follow the noise level both by EPA and AMA and if there is any complaint coming from the community then we go in and access the noise level and if we recognize that you have permit, then we give you warning and also ensure that the place is sound proof so the noise level comes down because the health of the people is being compromised by the noise but if we realize that you are operating without permit then we will ask you to stop operating till you register”.

Mr Vanderpuije charged churches operating in the country to be responsible and exhibit good character at all times and also ensure that they abide by the rules and regulations of the city authorities.