The ban on drumming and noise making in the Ga State ahead of the Homowo festival this year takes effect from today, May 12. The one-month ban is observed during which maize is symbolically planted to herald good harvest as the chiefs and people of the Ga speaking areas prepare to celebrate Homowo starting in August. Nii Amui de-Graft Quaye, an elder of the Dzase family of the Ga paramount stool, confirmed the date of the ban to the Times yesterday. Throwing light on the activities during the ban period, Nii Ayi an elder of the Gbese Palace, said the ban has a spiritual significance which demands quietness as maize is planted. He, therefore, appealed to the general public, particularly, worship centres and drinking spots to cooperate by observing the ban. Nii Ayi gave the dates of the Homowo celebration as follow: The people of Tema will observe it on August 1, Nungua August 5, and Ga Mashie August 9. Osu, Teshie, La, Kpone and Prampram will celebrate it on August 19. Meanwhile, the Accra Regional Police Command, has appealed to the royal families to notify the police, at least five days before they organise any public event. Speaking to the Times, the regional Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Kwaku Ayesu Opare-Addo, said early notification would give the police ample time to prepare to meet any security challenges during the celebration. Mr Opare-Addo cited an incident which occurred last month at James Town where one of the royal families refused to comply with an order from the police and went ahead to install a new Wulomo. He said failure to comply with such an order contravened the Public Order Act 491 of 1994, and therefore resulted in the arrest and prosecution of some elders. "Whoever fails to seek police permission before organising a public event of the Homowo celebration would be arrested and prosecuted," he said, adding, "the law is explicit on that". Source: The Ghanaian Times