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Ban on Drumming and Noise Making in Accra to Begin May 12 Ahead of Homowo Festival

Published

7 days ago

May 9, 2025

The annual ban on drumming and noise making in Accra is set to take effect from Monday, May 12 to June 12, as preparations for the Homowo Festival get underway. The announcement made by local authorities is part of the traditional customs observed by the Ga community ahead of the festival.

The Homowo Festival, celebrated by the Ga people of the Greater Accra Region, is a time of remembrance, thanksgiving, and celebration of the harvest. Traditionally, the month-long ban is observed to create an atmosphere of peace and quiet, which is believed to encourage spiritual reflection and successful harvests.

Guidelines for the Ban

The ban restricts the use of loud musical instruments, drumming, and general noise-making in public spaces, including churches, pubs, and street events. During this period, organizations and individuals are urged to comply fully, respecting the customs of the Ga community. Violators risk facing fines or other penalties as determined by the local authorities.

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), along with the Ga Traditional Council, will be overseeing enforcement and ensuring that noise levels are kept to a minimum. Special permits may be granted under strict guidelines for events that require sound amplification.

Cultural Significance

Homowo, which means “hooted at hunger,” is a festival that marks the end of a historic famine. It is characterized by traditional rites, communal feasting, and vibrant celebrations once the ban is lifted. The drumming and noise-making ban is seen as a sacred obligation to honor the traditions of the ancestors and maintain harmony with the spirits.

The Ga Traditional Council has called on both residents and visitors to respect the cultural practice, which has been a pillar of unity and cultural preservation in Accra for generations.

Compliance and Community Involvement

Community leaders and local authorities are urging full cooperation from all sectors, including religious bodies, entertainment venues, and individuals. Efforts to educate the public about the significance of the ban are ongoing, ensuring mutual respect and understanding among all residents of Accra.

As the city embraces this period of quiet reflection, the community prepares for the grand celebrations that will follow, marking yet another chapter in the rich cultural heritage of the Ga people.

Related Topics:Accra Homowo Homowo Festival Noise Ban

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JUST IN: Two New Mpox Cases Confirmed in Accra

Published

17 hours ago

May 15, 2025

AladdynKing

Health authorities have confirmed two new Mpox cases in the Accra Metropolitan Area of the Greater Accra Region. These are the first confirmed infections reported in Ghana this year.

In response, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has instructed all regional health directors to reactivate their Public Health Emergency Operations Centres. They have also been directed to intensify surveillance, risk communication, and case management efforts nationwide.

The two cases are unrelated and were both detected at a healthcare facility. Contact tracing is underway, and the patients are currently under close monitoring to prevent further transmission.

Ghana’s Mpox outbreak began on June 8, 2022, with five initial cases. By November 2023, 34 confirmed cases had been recorded. Before this outbreak, Mpox was not considered endemic in Ghana.

In a circular signed by the Director-General, the GHS called for a renewed and coordinated national response, emphasizing the need for enhanced detection and containment strategies.

Mpox is a viral disease similar to smallpox, characterized by fever, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash. It spreads through direct contact with an infected person’s skin, bodily fluids, or during sexual contact. Symptoms include fever, rash or lesions, fatigue, headaches, muscle and back pain, and swollen glands.

Across Africa, Mpox remains a serious public health issue. As of March 2025, over 24,200 cases and approximately 260 deaths have been reported in 22 countries. The Democratic Republic of the Congo has been the most affected, accounting for the majority of cases and fatalities.

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Job Vacancies: Wednesday, 14th May, 2025

Published

2 days ago

May 14, 2025

AladdynKing

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Vacancy 2

Tarkwa vacancy
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Accomodation is available for anyone from afar.
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Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi Charged Over Unexecuted $2 Million Sky Train Deal

Published

3 days ago

May 13, 2025

AladdynKing

Professor Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, former Board Chair of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF), has been formally charged with conspiracy to commit a crime—specifically, wilfully causing financial loss to the state.

The charges, filed under Sections 23(1) and 179A(3)(a) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), are linked to a $2 million payment made in 2019 to Africa Investor Holdings Limited for the development of an urban Sky Train system in Accra—a project that never came to fruition.

Court documents reveal that the funds were released in February 2019 without proper board authorization for either the share acquisition or the disbursement. As the funds belonged to GIIF, a state-owned entity, their unauthorized release has sparked legal action.

Investigations indicate that due process was not followed. Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi, named as the second accused, told investigators in his caution statement that he approved the payment on the advice of the first accused, Solomon Asamoah, who served as Chief Executive Officer of GIIF at the time.

However, neither Ameyaw-Akumfi nor Asamoah has been able to explain the whereabouts of the funds.

Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi was recently arrested in connection with the failed Sky Train agreement, which was initially touted as a transformative urban transport solution for Accra. The proposed elevated light rail system was intended to ease traffic congestion in the capital and other major cities.

The project was to be executed through a public-private partnership between the Government of Ghana and Africa Investment (PTY) Limited, a South Africa-based firm that was expected to provide funding, technology, and infrastructure. Despite the substantial initial payment, the project never advanced beyond the planning stage.