On Thursday, together with Members of the Regional Security Council, the Greater Accra minister Henry Quartey, led leadership of the Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs) to pay a courtesy call to the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs at Dodowa.
In a discussion, the leadership of the Faith-Based Organizations appealed to the House of Chiefs to consider the faith-based groups and allow them to hold their church services at minimum sound levels without drumming within the confines of their auditoriums.
In a very lengthy discourse of appeals and deliberations, the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs, the Regional Coordinating Council, the Regional Security Council, and the faith-based organizations collectively arrived at an amicable interim resolution in a 12-point bulletin as follows:
- We recognize the freedom of worship
- We also recommend the formation of a Joint Committee to monitor and manage any misunderstandings arising out of the celebration or observance of customs, traditions, festivals, and worship in the Greater Accra Region.
- All (FBO) have agreed to confine ‘crusades, conventions, and usual forms of worship to church buildings and avoid excessive noise during the period of the ban in the interest of peace and harmony.
- Noise-making beyond the levels prescribed by the Public Order Act and the Bye-Laws of the various MMDAs.
- That the FBOs may use microphones at reduced volumes. This includes public address systems in the auditorium only.
- That clapping of hands shall be at minimum levels permissible in auditoriums only.
- All reports of infractions and Infringement of the prescribed noise levels during the stated period of the customary ban shall be referred to the Joint Committee which shall have powers of adjudication and enforce compliance.
- The Joint Committee shall comprise of:
a. A representative of the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC).
b. The Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs.
c. The Metropolitan, Municipal, or District Assembly (MMDA)
d. Faith-Based Organisations.
e. The Respective Traditional Councils.
- Flowing from the preceding paragraph, seven (7) where a branch of a faith-based group goes contrary to these directives, that particular branch shall be sanctioned by the RCC, RHC, and the faith-based group.
- The agreed stakeholder shall after the expiration of this joint committee in six (6) months, commencing from May 2023 and ending on 24″ Nov 2023, shall present a permanent recommendation to the Regional Coordinating Council regarding lasting solutions to matters raised by the current controversy.
- We recommend that this resolution serves as an example for reaching a peaceful solution to similar issues elsewhere within the GAR.
- The composition of the joint task force shall include a representative of the MMDA led by a senior Police officer within the jurisdiction, a representative from the FBOs, and the Traditional Council.
- Persons who impersonate the joint task force shall be made to face the Laws of the Land.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com
