Call  churches  to order! - Krokobite Chief Urges Christian Council

The Divisional Chief of Krokobite community under the Ngleshie Alata Traditional Council in the Ga South Municipality of the Greater Accra Region, Nii Ofei II, has called on the Christian Council of Ghana (CCG) to urgently ensure that the various religious institutions in the Ga State abided by the order of this year's ban on drumming and noise-making in Accra in order not put themselves into any trouble.

"We traditional officeholders and leaders of the Ga State do generally respect the churches and their various gospel activities so we want them also to respect our traditions, customs and norms so that there will be absolute peace, harmony and unity in Ga State.”

"However this year, we have what it takes to go round to make sure that there is total silence during the period," Nii Ofei II, said but was quick to state that "those who flout the orders of the ban would not be spared at all," Nii Ofei II stressed.

According to the gazetted chief, it behoves the CCG to urgently advise, especially the one-man charismatic churches, to respect the customs and traditions of Gas as the practice was not fetish as perceived by some Christians.

'We want to emphasis that our call on the various churches operating within the jurisdiction of the Ga State to respect the ban on noise making and drumming in order to avoid confrontation with the Ga traditional authorities," Nii Ofei II further stressed.

According to the chief of Krokobite, the two groups “must show respect for one another and restrain their followers from making derogatory and inflammatory remarks about their beliefs and traditions."

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Soireenews on Wednesday, April 12, 2021, in Accra, Nii Ofei II, who is a member of the Ga Traditional Council (GTC), stated that the usual way of worship should be confined to the premises of churches, mosques and noise level be minimised to the barest limits possible in Kokrobite.

Nii Ofei indicated that the period would be used to clear farms, plant crops and pray for more harvest either fishes or crops.

According to him, the ban on drumming cannot be made flexible despite the cosmopolitan nature of Accra.

He stated that most faith-based organizations in the Ga State were disrespecting the ban because they considered the celebration of the Homowo as a fetish.

He pointed that such claims are false because Homowo is an occasion used by the Gas to remember their ancestors, hoot at hunger and thank the Almighty God for providing sufficient food.”

Nii Ofei II urged individuals and churches who occupy the lands of the Ga State to be mindful of their actions during the ban and remember that the Ga traditional rulers were the custodians of the land.

He also urged the Asafo companies in Accra not to take the law into their hands.

He stressed that when someone disobeys the order of the ban, such a person must be reported to the appropriate traditional quarters for an amicable resolution in order to make this year's Homowo festival peaceful.

Freeman Koryekpor Awlesu Greater Accra Regional Correspondent