A ban on drumming and performance of funerals in the Agona Swedru Municipality would take effect from August 1 to 24, 2008 to enable the Swedruman Council to celebrate this year’s Akwambo festival. Nana Ogyabea Badu Ehuren, Sanaahene of Agona Swedru who disclosed this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency on Thursday warned churches, group leaders and family heads to comply with the order to ensure peace and stability. He said the Council would give stiffer punishment to those who would flout the order. Nana Ehuren said the ban would assist the chiefs to celebrate the week-long festival to promote progress and development in the area. He stated that the Council would use the occasion to clear bushes on the banks of river Akora from Mahodwe to Swedru Sawmills where species of trees would be planted. The Sanaahene noted that negative reports had been received about some unscrupulous people who threw wastes into the river and defecate indiscriminately on the banks polluting the river and the environment. He said as part of the celebration, Swedruman Council would also organise a massive clean-up exercise in the Municipality and called on the Assembly members, opinion leaders, Christian and Muslim groups, market women and other identifiable groups to get involved to ensure its success. Source: GNA