The Ga Mashie Traditional Council has summoned 15 churches, including Calvary Baptist Church and Lighthouse Chapel, to appear before it for questioning after allegedly flouting the ban on drumming and noise-making, which took effect on May 12.

Leader of the taskforce enforcing the one-month directive, Asafoatse Mankatta, confirmed the summons in an interview with Adom News.

He stated that the churches were clapping during their services in direct violation of the directive, and when the task force presented the summons letters, some of the churches refused to accept them.

“We have great respect for Calvary Baptist Church, but we were surprised to see them violating the orders of the Traditional Council; they were making noise as if there was nothing at stake,” he said.

He added that the church authorities are expected to appear before the Council on Thursday, May 22, warning that there will be dire consequences if they fail to comply.

Reiterating the rules, Mr. Mankatta said that during the ban, churches are prohibited from clapping and drumming but are permitted to sing.

He noted that if churches have soundproof structures that prevent noise from escaping their premises, the Traditional Council would not take issue with them.

He urged the Christian community to comply with the directives, stressing that the task force would intensify enforcement beginning next Sunday.

The month-long ban prohibits clapping of hands, placement of loudspeakers outside church premises and mosques, roadside evangelism, and the use of megaphones, loudspeakers, tambourines, and other musical instruments both outside and indoors during the period.

The ban forms part of customary rites leading to the celebration of the Homowo Festival.