Opinions of Tuesday, 18 July 2017

Columnist: Juliet Safo

There is a law on noise making, let's enforce it

If the law is enforced, noise pollution in this country will be a thing of the past If the law is enforced, noise pollution in this country will be a thing of the past

For some time now, some parts of Accra seem not to go a night without the excessive music from speakers on the streets, at pubs and from some churches.

In my neighbourhood, Lapaz, workers barely sleep well at night because of the excessive noise from those huge speakers.

Operators of these joints in the metropolis increase the volumes of their speakers to the extent that one can feel the vibrations while walking past them or notice the movement of items placed on a surface in their homes.

They carry out their operations without worry because they do not perceive their activities as illegal.

However, the law on noise making in Section 296 (7) states that “a person shall be liable to a fine not exceeding ¢200,000 if, after being warned to desist, he or she makes any loud or unseemly noise howsoever caused to the annoyance or disturbance of any person.”

I believe that if the law is enforced, noise pollution in this country will be a thing of the past.

Pub owners in areas such as Nii Boi, Abeka and Fadama are also noted to disturb the peace of residents.

Our health is on the line and this could also be a contributor to the lack of progress in the country.

I, therefore, appeal to the relevant authorities and stakeholders to take immediate actions to enforce the laws on noise pollution to discourage people from making excessive noise.