General News of Tuesday, 5 April 2005

Source: GNA

Ban on noisemaking begins on May 2

Accra, April 5, GNA - The Ga Traditional Council announced on Tuesday that this year's annual ban on drumming and noisemaking in the traditional area would begin from May 2 to June 2.

A statement signed by Mrs Bernice Bempong, Assistant Regional Registrar of the Council, called for "utmost cooperation in this matter for peaceful and successful peaceful meditation".

The ban, which is prelude to the Ga Homowo celebration, led to clashes between Christians and Ga traditionalists a few years ago. While the traditionalists insisted on enforcing the ban, some churches said it was their right to worship and praise God through drumming and dancing.

There were injuries to either side while some church property was destroyed or seized.

The Regional Coordinating Council and security agencies successfully negotiated a Memorandum of Understanding between the two sides in 2000 to end such confrontations.