Ban on drumming and noise making referred to parliamentary committees

The Speaker of Parliament referred the issue of the annual ban on drumming and noise-making in the Ga Traditional Area to the joint Committees of Culture, Subsidiary Legislation and Constitutional and Legal Affairs to come out with appropriate recommendations.

Mr Peter Ala Adjetey gave the Committees three months within which to come out with acceptable response to the issue so as to curtail the recurrence of misunderstanding between the traditional authorities and some religious groups.

The Speaker said the committees should work with urgency since it has repercussions not only on national security and peace but that the confusion was likely to resurface next year.

Mr Adjetey gave the order following a statement made by Mr Ernest Attuquaye Armah, NDC Ga South, concerning the controversy over the customary ban imposed by the Ga Traditional Council.

Mr Armah said the usual drama which surrounds the observation of the ban was once again unfolded by a section of the community that are of the view that the ban is against their religious beliefs and that the Council was trying to impose its religion on them.

He said the Council, however, says the ban is not a religious act but a custom, which needs to be observed by everyone who resides within the jurisdiction of the Council.

Mr Armah said customs in Ghana vary from place to place which are always adhered to and followed by the people but lately the custom within Accra has been infringed upon due to the cosmopolitan nature of the area.

He said while within the smaller towns and villages, such offenders could be invited and sanctioned by the "Mankrado, Ahenfie Police or Chief, it is never the same in the cosmopolitan area.

"Accra is not the only cosmopolitan area in the country with such a custom yet in all other such areas all customary practices are observed without any query," he added.

Mr Armah said it is sheer coincidence that those charged with making sure the ban is observed by everyone is the Wulomoi and the fact that they are associated with a traditional religion it is assumed by people of different religious backgrounds as an imposition on them.

He said such conflicts mostly bring about tribal misunderstanding, which could affect tribal marriages as well as inter-religious harmony and suggested negotiation in the spirit of give and take.

He called on the Minister of the Interior and other stakeholders to enforce the law to ensure that the rights of the Gas as custodians of the land are respected to avoid conflicts.

Capt. Nkrabeah Effah-Dartey, NPP Berekum, supporting the statement traced the history of the ban on noise-making, saying the rationale for the annual ban was to prevent young men and women from rejoicing during the period of planting.

He recommended a return to the joint declaration signed in 1999 by the Ga Traditional Council, Religious organisations and the Pentecostals so as to forestall any future misunderstanding and bring about a compromise.

Capt. Effah-Dartey suggested that the terms of the declarations be published in the daily newspapers and radio for all to abide by them.

Alhaji Abubakari Sumani, NDC Choggu/Tishigu appealed to various groups to respect each other's customs and traditions for a peaceful co-existence.

He said now is the time to reconcile the various parties and settle the issue instead of waiting to look for solutions come the next ban period.

Nana Akomea, NDC Okaikwei South, said now is the time to harmonise traditional norms and cultural practices on a constitutional footing to reduce the misunderstanding and conflict of interest.

He urged the Accra Metropolitan Assembly to take effective measures to enforce its ban on noise making to bring about religious tolerance and understanding.

Mr Amos Lawerh Buertey, NDC Ada, called for a follow up to the meeting organised by the Greater Accra Regional Co-ordinating Council to bring about reconciliation on the ban.

He said the issue at stake should be who monitors the ban and who determines the acceptable levels of noise making in the metropolis.

Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, NDC Wenchi West, said there is the need for the issue of the annual ban to be removed out of religion and to allow secular institutions or a regulatory body to enforce the law.

Mr J. H. Mensah, the Majority Leader, said the issue was that of a break down of compromise and accommodation since peoples' interest was bound to clash in any social set up.

He appealed to all to eschew the practice of meting out instant justice to offenders and to allow the law to take its course since every religion and culture has its period of silence.

Dr Kwabena Adjei, NDC Biakoye called on the Joint committee to take a critical look at the legislation on noise making and to take holistic approaches to finding a lasting solution to the impasse.