The Ga Mashie Traditional Council has summoned 15 churches, including Calvary Baptist Church and Lighthouse Chapel, for allegedly violating the ongoing ban on drumming and noise-making, which took effect on May 12, 2025.
According to Asafoatse Mankatta, leader of the task force enforcing the month-long directive, the affected churches were found clapping during their services—a direct breach of the Traditional Council’s rules.
In an interview with Adom News, Mr. Mankatta revealed that some of the churches even refused to accept their summons letters.
“We have great respect for Calvary Baptist Church, but we were surprised to see them flouting the orders of the Traditional Council. They were making noise as if nothing was at stake,” he said.
The summoned churches are expected to appear before the Traditional Council on Thursday, May 22, 2025. Mr. Mankatta cautioned that failure to comply could result in serious consequences.
He reiterated the ban’s guidelines, which prohibit clapping and drumming during the period, though singing is permitted.
He noted that churches with soundproof auditoriums that prevent noise from escaping may be exempt from sanctions.
Mr. Mankatta called on the Christian community to respect the directives, adding that the taskforce would step up enforcement efforts from Sunday.
The annual ban forms part of traditional rites ahead of the Homowo Festival and applies to all forms of loud public religious activity.
It specifically prohibits the use of loudspeakers outside places of worship, roadside evangelism, megaphones, tambourines, and other musical instruments during the ban period.
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