A lecturer of the university of Cape Coast (UCC), Mr Kojo Arko Boaham on Monday called on Parliament to enact laws on drumming and noisemaking to help reduce religious confrontation during festivals.
He further called for the education of the public on the effects of noisemaking on human and the environment. Mr Boaham made the call at a forum held in Cape Coast by the Committee on Subsidiary Legislation, Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs on the customary ban on drumming and noisemaking in the country.
The forum, which was attended by traditional rulers, opinion leaders religious groups and a cross section of the public, was to collate views on the ban on noisemaking and drumming in some parts of the country during their annual festivals.
Mr Boaham urged religious leaders to educate their members on the need to co-exist peacefully with other groups without infringing on their rights, since there was freedom of worship in the country. “You should be able to control noisemaking in the churches and also allow others to practice their religion without any confrontation,” he said.
The Reverend Samuel Botchway, Methodist Church, presenting a paper on behalf of the Christian community, called on Parliament to enact laws against hooliganism and the molestation of worshipers.
Parliament, he said, should continue to uphold the constitutional provision of freedom of worship to enhance lasting peace and as well as help maintain the religious harmony that churches enjoyed in the past.
Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, Omanhene of Oguaa Traditional Area, called for peaceful co-existence and respect for each other’s views among the various religious groups, adding, ” these confrontation occur because there is no understanding among the groups”.
Mr Muniru Arafat Nuhu, Cape Coast Municipal Chief Executive, said the assembly would soon pass a bye-law on noisemaking and called on religious groups to educate their congregations on the need to restrict all forms of noise to their premises.
The Chairman of the Committee, Mr Kyei Mensah Bonsu commended the participants for their contribution to the programme and called for peace and unity among the various religious groups.
He called on them to come out with concrete ideas that would help solve the problem facing churches and traditional rulers on noisemaking and drumming during annual festivals.
Source: GhanaWeb
