The Dormaa Traditional Council, has banned Christmas retreats, conventions and all social gatherings in the Dormaa Central Municipality.

The ban, which takes effect from December 18, according to a close and reliable source at the Council, is to pave way for the celebration of the Annual Kwafie Festival of the chiefs and people of Dormaa-Ahenkro.

The celebration of the week-long Festival, which coincides with the 15th anniversary of the installation of Osagyefo Agyeman Badu the Second, Omanhene of the Dormaa Traditional Council, would attract people from all walks of life.

The source told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview that the ban would be lifted when necessary.

It said the Council has met with and officially informed the local council of churches in the area of the ban, and that churches which contravened the order would be sanctioned.

According to the source, the Council would perform some traditional rites on the night of December 18, and therefore, warned residents to stay indoors that night.

“The Omanhene of the Dormaa Traditional Council will lead some sub-chiefs to parade through selected streets in the Dormaa-Ahenkro Township, to perform certain traditional rites.'

It warned citizens and non-citizens to desist from roaming the town at night, emphasizing that any person who failed to comply, did so at his or her own risk.

The source explained that the Traditional Council, as demanded by custom, would convey the black stools at the Dormaa Palace to a river and wash them.