Tema, March 12, GNA - The Tema District Court, located in the premises of the Tema Development Corporation, on Thursday ordered the closure of two churches at Klagon for operating without permit. Passing sentence on the churches, the court, presided over by Mr Senyo Amedahe said: 93The Church is a place where the public is to be taught to comply with the laws of the State. 93

Consequently, the court ordered that not until the two churches complied with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Law, Act 490 and the Local Government Law, Act 462, they should remain closed. While the EPA Act enjoins churches and other institutions to obtain licenses before operating, the Local Government Law entreats them to go in for permits for the use of use authorised structures for services.

The Zion Apostolic Church and Living Family Chapel, at Klagon near Ashaiman, were arraigned on three counts of causing nuisance, operating without permit, and using unauthorised structures without permit for services.

They were convicted on all the three counts. Mr Emmanuel Eric Kotoku, the prosecuting officer, earlier told the court that for some time now the activities of the two churches within the community towards McCarthy Kope at Klagon, had become a nuisance to the residents.

Mr Kotoku said as a result, they complained about excessive noise from the two churches to the Tema Metropolitan assembly and the EPA. He said the EPA took the matter up and measured the noise levels at the two churches and found them to be over and above the approved decibels for a residential area. The prosecution officer said after several warnings from the residents had fallen on deaf ears, they reported the matter to the police and the head pastors of the two churches were charged with the offences.