It said during the period, all religious bodies and the general public within the metropolis will be expected to reduce the level of noise they make.

[contextly_sidebar id=”HqCkpgB5gwX7GY8GfmhdPylFtCTTDqFa”]The ban on drumming and noise-making is an integral feature of the annual Homowo festival by the Ga people in Accra.

The Public Relations Officer of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Numo Blafo III in a Citi News interview said the AMA had to intervene to ensure that all groups and organization complied with the directive due to consistent conflicts between the traditional authorities and groups affected by the ban, especially Christian bodies.

“Normally when this ban on noise making comes to force, there is a conflict between the traditional authorities and most of the time, some religious bodies and it creates tension and that is why the AMA comes in so that there would be some kind of sanity within the metropolis,” he said.

He added that churches, mosques and other organizations that made use of loud speakers and other noisemaking materials must minimize the noise they make

“There should be minimization of noise making especially in our churches and among those who use loudspeakers.”

The ban is expected to be lifted on Thursday, June 8, 2017.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Ban on drumming, noise-making takes effect today appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

A statement by the Assembly said it has after a meeting with various hawker-groups in the metropolis, agreed to give them space on some major streets to sell.

According to a statement signed by the AMA’s Public Relations Officer, Numo Blafo, the agreement, dubbed the “redline policy” was first developed last year but could not be immediately implemented.

“It is the hope of the AMA that the hawkers will comport themselves during this period, and to report any grievance to the Assembly for an amicable resolution,” the statement said.

The Assembly said although it will permit hawking within the metropolis, indiscriminate activities will be dealt with in line with its bye-laws.

See the full statement below:

The decision by the AMA seem to be contrary to what many expected of the Assembly since the hawkers have been partly blamed for causing human and vehicular traffic congestion and littering within the city.

In some parts of the metropolis, hawkers have taken over pavements and extended their activities to the shoulders of the road, making it difficult for commuters and drivers to move with ease.

It is unclear yet how the AMA would address the issue of congestion and poor sanitation having agreed with the hawkers to allow them carry out their activities without interference in some areas.

I won’t use ‘crude tactics’ to deal with hawkers – Accra MCE

The newly appointed Metropolitan Chief Executive for the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Mohammed Adjei Sowah, had indicated upon his appointment that when approved, his tenure will not see his outfit resort to the use of ‘crude tactics’ to deal with hawkers.

The previous AMA boss, Alfred Oko Vanderpuije, was noted for his forceful approach to dealing with hawkers and other activities such as “okada” operations, and traffic offenses.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @jnyabor

The post AMA violates by-law, allocates streets to hawkers appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.