By Wilfred Kodjo KEDAPEY
Last year, around this time, during one of our routine church rehearsals, an unexpected incident occurred.
A group of individuals, identifying themselves as representatives of one of the Ga states, arrived unannounced and seized our musical instruments.
They accused us of violating the ban on noise-making and demanded we appear at the palace for restitution. After much pleading and the intervention of community leaders, the situation was eventually resolved with justice tempered by mercy.
Every year, beginning the month of May, the Ga Traditional Council enforces a strict ban on drumming and noise-making. This directive, rooted in tradition, is meant to preserve the sanctity of the rituals in preparation for the Homowo festival.
Yet, time and again, the enforcement of this ban leads to conflicts, causing reputational damage to both the Council and businesses that depend on music and sound to fuel their operations.
At the same time, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Ghana holds a crucial responsibility to regulate noise pollution across the country. Under the EPA Act (Act 490), the EPA is empowered to ensure that noise levels stay within acceptable limits, safeguarding the health and well-being of the public.
However, in Accra’s buzzing urban environment, enforcing these regulations presents a significant challenge. The challenge often stems from a lack of clarity about who determines acceptable noise levels.
Traditional authorities often declare a ban on “noise-making,” originally tied to drumming, without referencing measurable standards. This ambiguity fuels confrontations with churches and other institutions.
Therefore, the EPA being the statutory authority with technical expertise and existing decibel standards is best positioned to make these determinations. But what if this challenge could be transformed into an opportunity for collaboration; a solution that balances both tradition and modern business needs?
Partnering for Effective Noise Management
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Ga Traditional Council each play vital, complementary roles in protecting the well-being of Accra’s residents.
The Ga Traditional Council enforces noise restrictions during the Homowo festival to preserve cultural heritage and maintain social order, while the EPA regulates noise pollution year-round to safeguard public health and environmental quality. Both share the common goal of managing noise to foster peace, health, and community welfare.
A strategic partnership between the EPA and the Ga Traditional Council is an opportunity to launch annual awareness campaigns involving targeted initiatives to keep communities and stakeholders informed.
This partnership should begin with intensive awareness creation and training, clarifying the EPA’s noise decibel standards and how they relate to traditional directives. This will establish common ground and help avoid misinterpretations or conflicts.
This collaboration will enable the EPA to fulfill its mandate of public education on noise control while allowing the Ga Traditional Council to leverage the EPA’s expertise and influence to reinforce traditional norms ahead of the Homowo festival.
Beyond awareness campaigns, this partnership can facilitate the development of joint monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, ensuring compliance with noise regulations during festival periods and throughout the year.
Capacity-building workshops can also be organized to equip traditional leaders and community members with knowledge and tools to effectively manage noise-related challenges.
Introducing Noise Assessment and Grading System
To make noise regulation more constructive, the EPA and Ga Traditional Council can assess public venues such as churches, bars, restaurants, and clubs—based on compliance with noise standards. In the weeks leading up to Homowo, trained officials can evaluate noise levels using decibel meters and assign compliance ratings.
A transparent grading system can be introduced, categorizing businesses based on their noise compliance. Venues can be assessed in distinct categories, allowing the EPA to tailor evaluations according to the type of business.
From religious spaces to nightlife hotspots, every business will be recognized for their role in minimizing noise pollution. This approach not only standardizes the evaluation process but gives businesses a clear understanding of what is expected, encouraging them to meet these standards proactively.
Instead of relying on force, the focus could shift to making noise compliance something businesses strive for, much like how companies now highlight their sustainability efforts.
Being recognized by the EPA as noise-compliant could become a prestigious distinction, motivating businesses to follow the rules willingly and making compliance a positive, competitive goal.
However, public recognition alone may not be enough incentive, especially for profit-driven entities like restaurants or bars. Therefore, these awards can be tied to more tangible benefits such as expedited permit renewal or eligibility for certain operational incentives, providing a stronger motivation to comply.
Public Recognition through Awards and Ceremony
Once the grading assessments are complete, the results can be publicly shared jointly by the Ga Traditional Council and the EPA in a news release, highlighting businesses that excelled in maintaining noise regulations.
The EPA could organize an event where these businesses are awarded, with the award presentations being made by various chiefs of the States within the Ga Traditional Council. This could become an annual event, providing the EPA with a platform to engage stakeholders, showcase thought leadership, and rally support from the community.
Categories for recognition can include Best Noise Compliant Church, Best Noise Compliant Bar, Best Noise Compliant Restaurant, and Best Noise Compliant Entertainment Venue.
This recognition will not only serve as a form of public acknowledgment for the businesses but will also promote a sense of community responsibility, where all stakeholders, whether cultural custodians or local business owners are actively participating in the upkeep of a quieter, more peaceful environment.
Again, to reinforce the value of these awards, regulatory privileges such as streamlined compliance checks or reduced inspection frequency could be attached, making noise compliance both a moral and practical goal.
The growing challenges of noise pollution in Accra demands innovative and collaborative solutions that respect both cultural heritage and modern urban dynamics. Strategic alliances not only protect the sanctity of cultural practices but also enhance the overall quality of life for all residents.
Wilfred is a Brand Communication Manager at the Newmark Group, a Pan-African strategic communication firm that helps brands increase their influence and impact
