Ga Traditional Council: Generators Exempted From Ban On Noise-making

Nii Tackie Commey, spokesperson for the Ga Traditional Council has indicated that the noise from generators cannot be counted as part of a noise-making activity because it is an uncontrollable outcome and therefore not affected by the ban. 

Speaking in an interview on PEACE FM's morning showKokrokoo, Nii Tackie Commey said so far as rain falling on roofs and thunder which sometimes accompanies rainstorms cannot be considered as noise-making, generators cannot also be classified as such.

The use of generators have become an alternative means for energy due to the current power cuts which has compelled the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to come out with a load shedding guide, though it is not being followed.

These noisy power alternative, some believed, could incur the displeasure of the traditional authorities.

The GTC, for example, petitioned the Greater Accra Regional Police Command to stop a street protest called by some Ghanaian celebrities against the power crisis. The annual ban on drumming and dancing precedes the celebration of the Ga festival, Homowo. The timing of the vigil falls into the duration of the ban which starts from Monday May 11 to Thursday June 11, 2015.

Nii Tackie Commey, who is also a former NDC MP Odododiodoo, told Kwami Sefa Kayi that vigil could hamper rites that will be performed during the ban, but added that generators are exempted.

"...generators are excluded from the list of noise-making activity...just as thunder and lightning...so we should know and draw the line,” he said.

The vigil dubbed "#dumsor must stop" had earlier faced challenges after University of Ghana and later Total Ghana prevented them from using their premises as a converging ground.

Giving reasons for their petition in the interview, Nii Commey said other protests meant to be peaceful have always ended up being noisy and so they cannot trust that "#dumsor must stop" vigil will be any different.

He has therefore urged organisers of the vigil to postpone their intended action until the ban on noise making is over.