Ahead Of Odwira/Ohum Festiva: Observe Ban On  Drumming And  Noisemaking’

The traditional authority of Ankwa Dobro, a farming community under the Akuapem Traditional Area in the Nsawam-Adoagyiri Municipality of the Eastern Region has called on churches, event organisers and members of the public to respect the custom and tradition of the Ankwa Dobro by honouring the ban on drumming and noise making.

According to the Amankrado Queen-mother of Ankwa Dobro, Nana Amponsah Agyawa I and Nmratiehene of Ankwa Dobro, Nana Obuobi I,
the month-long ban has started from August last week Wednesday 2022,' saying that at the end of the period, the traditional necessary custom and rituals will be performed to signify the lifting of the ban on drumming and noise making.

They stressed that the ban on drumming and noise making in the Ankwa Dobro area should be observed under the following guidelines in the interest of peace, harmony and national security:

They pointed out that the ban was a significant feature to herald the celebration of the Odwira/Ohum Festiva of the people Ankwa Dobro- Akuapim.

Addressing a press conference in Ankwa Dobro, the Nmratiehene of Ankwa Dobro, Nana Obuobi surrounded by other traditional leaders stated that the ban was a very important feature in the activities leading to the celebration of the Odwira/Ohum Festival.

The conference was aimed at informing the general public about the programmes and activities that would lead to the successful celebration of the 2022 Odwira/Ohum Festival.

He said the one month period was used to pray for peace, progress and the welfare of the Ankwa Dobro people in particular and the country as a whole. 

He stressed that all worship should be confined to church premises; noise, including hand clapping should cease; positioning of loud speakers outside the church premises and the mosques is to be banned during the period.

He further emphasized that the roadside evangelists should avoid the use of noise-making equipment, and the use of noisy musical instruments must be avoided.

According to them, the traditional authority of Ankwa Dobro appreciates the continuous cooperation of some of the major Christian communities in the area during the period..

He urged the recalcitrant smaller ones to take a cue from the major ones and cooperate with the traditional authority of Ankwa Dobro.

"The general Christian Community and Traditional authorities must show respect for one another and restrain their followers from making derogatory statements about the beliefs and practices of another's religion,” they added.

He said the traditional authorities of Ankwa Dobro had realized that some residents don't respect the traditions and customs of the Ankwa Dobro.

Nana Obuobi said a task force of community disciplinary communtee had been set up to work in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service to monitor and enforce the ban on noise making in the Ankwa Dobro and its adjoining communities.

He called on all the towns and villages within the Ankwa Dobro that organised their programmes simultaneously with the main Odwira/Ohum Festival custom.

He stated that such acts would not be tolerated this year and warned that any institution, group of people or chiefs who flouted the rules and regulations governing this year’s festival would be sanctioned.

"We are not going to allow anyone to commit violent or crime and go scort free in the area. country," the chief of Doblo vowed.

The chief asserted that they had beaten gongon in town and its adjoining communities to officially inform all the people about the formation of the taskforce of the disciplinary committee.

He noted that the committee would see to it that those would foment trouble which may disturb public peace and cause demage to human beings and properties would be summoned and brought to the Ankwa Dobro traditional palace for displinary actions to be taken against such person.