Regional News of Wednesday, 18 January 2012

Source: GNA

KMA declares war on noise making

Kumasi, Jan 18, GNA – The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) has vowed to tackle head-on the growing noise nuisance that was fast becoming a major source of worry to many in the Metropolis.

It said the Assembly would do everything to ensure that noise levels were kept within permissible limits set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Churches, mosques, information centers, public preachers, music and video-cassette sellers, mobile advertisers and drinking bars are the worst offenders.

The Environmental Health Office of the Assembly had already set up a noise complaint desk to deal with the menace.

Mr Isaac Bassanyin, Head of the Desk told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that 17 offenders had already been prosecuted and made to pay fines.

He said they received a total of 138 complaints from the public last year, and visited 73 noise polluted areas leading to the calibration of some noise emitters.

He asked those whose activities create noise pollution to register with the office to allow for effective monitoring and control of their operations.

Mr Bassanyin said they had also stepped up public education to help the people to appreciate the harmful effects of noise making on health.