Ga Traditional Council Summons 15 Churches Over Noise-Making Ban Violations – GhArticles.com

The Ga Mashie Traditional Council has summoned 15 churches, including Calvary Baptist Church and Lighthouse Chapel, for allegedly violating the ban on drumming and noise-making, which began on May 12, 2025.

According to Asafoatse Mankatta, leader of the taskforce enforcing the directive, the churches were caught clapping during services, a clear breach of the month-long restriction. He disclosed that some churches even refused to accept the official summons letters presented by the taskforce.

“We hold Calvary Baptist Church in high regard, but we were shocked to see them disregard the Traditional Council’s orders. They were making noise as though the directive meant nothing,” Mankatta stated.

The implicated churches are expected to appear before the Council on Thursday, May 22. Mankatta warned of serious consequences for any church that fails to comply with the summons.

Reiterating the rules, he clarified that during the ban period, churches may sing but are strictly prohibited from clapping, drumming, or using loudspeakers unless their premises are fully soundproofed.

He also cautioned that the taskforce would intensify enforcement beginning next Sunday and urged churches and the broader Christian community to respect the customs associated with the Homowo Festival.

The noise-making ban restricts activities such as roadside evangelism, use of megaphones or musical instruments, and the placement of loudspeakers outside religious premises, part of traditional rites observed annually in the lead-up to Homowo.