The ban on drumming and noise making imposed by the Ga Traditional Council commences Monday May 8 to June 8, 2017, with the Odadao custom to signify the lifting of the ban.
The month long ban will disallow Churches, Mosques, pubs and others in the Ga Mashie Traditional area from engaging in their usual activities.
The Ga Traditional Council has served notice that it will deal ruthlessly with any individual or group of persons who will flout its directive on the ban this year.
Addressing a press conference recently, the Gbese Mantse, Nii Ayibonte, announced that a task force had been constituted to work in collaboration with the Accra Metropolitan Assembly and the police service, to monitor and enforce the directive.
“Any institution that will flout the rules and regulations governing this year’s festival would be dealt with. The General Christian Community and traditional authorities must show respect for one another and restrain their followers from making derogatory statements about the beliefs and practices of another’s religion,” he said.
The ban on drumming and noise making is a significant feature in the activities preceeding the celebration of the Homowo Festival by the Ga people.
The period of the ban, is used to fast and pray for peace, progress and the welfare of the Ga-Dangme people in particular and the country as a whole.
Homowo is celebrated in remembrance of the famine that once happened in the history of the Ga people.
Nii Ayibonte said it was about time the customs and traditions of the Ga state were respected, just like those of other states in the country.
He reiterated that any church that would disrespect the traditions of the Ga state will not be spared this year. He added that any item seized as a result of the disregard of the directive, would not be returned as the case used to be.
Nii Ayibonte also urged all towns and villages within the Ga state that organised their programmes concurrently with the main Odadao custom to desist from that act, warning that it would not be counternanced this year.
The Acting President of the Ga Traditional Council, Nii Dodoo Nsaki II, also stated that during the period of the ban, there should not be any form of social gathering. He advised the general public to obey all traditional rules when the ban is in effect to ensure peace, harmony and national security.
“Worshipping should be confined to church premises; noise including hand clapping must cease. The positioning of loudspeakers outside church premises and the mosques are also banned during the period,” he said.
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