THE GA MANTSE AND GA TRADITIONAL COUNCIL ON ACTIVITIES TO MARK THE 2022 GA HOMOWO FESTIVAL

PRESS STATEMENT BY THE GA MANTSE AND GA TRADITIONAL COUNCIL ON ACTIVITIES TO MARK THE 2022 GA HOMOWO FESTIVAL.

Nii Mei, Naa Mei, Wulomei, Woyee, Asafoatsemei, Elders of the Ga State, members of the security services, members of the Press, invited guest, ladies and gentlemen mii ha nye manye.

The good Lord has blessed us with yet another year and the Ga State will commence activities preceding the celebration of the annual Ga Homowo festival.

We have invited you here this morning to brief you on the activities preceding and culminating into the 2022 Ga Homowo festival.

The Ga Traditional Council announces to the public that the 2022 Ga Homowo festival will commence with the “SHIBAA” (cleansing the scared farm) on the 2nd day of May, 2022.

This will be followed by the “NMAA DUMO” (ban on drumming and noise making) on the 9th day of May to the 9th day of June, 2022.

During this period the Ga State will fast and pray for rainfall, a bounty harvest and good tidings. The Ga State would also pray for the Country and its citizens to continue to keep the peace, the love, tranquity and good spirit.

The Ga Traditional Council urges the general public to take notice and observe the rules regarding the ban on drumming and noise making to help maintain the peace, harmony and security within Ga State. These shall include;

*All worship centers should confine their activities within their church premises.

*Noise making including clapping of hands, the use of tambourine and other musical instruments should be avoided during this period.

*The positioning of loud speakers outside the church premises and mosques is banned during this period.

*Road side evangelism and the use of megaphones and other loud speakers should also be totally avoided during this period.

*Funeral rites and its related activities are also banned during this period.

*The 9th day of June, 2022 will be the “ODADAA” (lifting of the ban on drumming and noise making). This will be held at the forecourt of the Gbese Mantse’s0 Palace (Gbese Blohum)

A task force working with the various Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies has been set up to collaborate with the Ghana Police Service and the other Security Agencies to monitor, ensure compliance with the ban and prosecute recalcitrant persons who fail in that regard. 

The Ga Traditional Council shall further count on the co-operation of the various Stakeholders in ensuring strict observation and compliance with the Ga custom, practices and usage. 

The Ga Traditional Council by this notice entreats all persons within the Ga State to comply with the month-long ban on drumming and noise making and refrain from making derogatory remarks about the rites, custom, practices, usage and beliefs of the Ga people.

Thank you.

By: iamGanyobi