AMA Sanctions Street Preachers
The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has issued a caution to ten street preachers for making noise contrary to AMA Abatement of Noise Bye-Law 2017.
Meanwhile, five persons engaged in the sale of products using the public address system in the Central Business District (CBD) for operating without a permit.
Public Health Officers of the Assembly issued the notices on Friday, 15th July 2022 when they stormed the CBD to enforce the Abatement of Noise Bye-Law.
Speaking to the media during the exercise, the Head of Public Affairs at the AMA Mr. Gilbert Nii Ankrah noted that by the Ghana Standards Protection Requirement for ambiance noise control code GS 122: 2018, the permissible noise level within commercial areas should be 75 decibels (DBS) during the day and 65dbs during the night, whilst areas with residential, trading and light industrial activities should be 60dbs during the day and 65dbs during the night.
Mr. Ankrah also disclosed that, under Section 9 of the AMA Abatement of Noise Bye-Law, public preachers were expected to obtain a street preaching permit from the AMA which mandates them to go about their activities from 8 am – 10 am with adherence to the permissible noise level.
He explained that ;
“A person shall not within 100 meters at a hospital, clinic or other places used for the treatment of sickness or public library, blow any musical instrument, the horn of a motor vehicle shall also not make unnecessary noise “, he added.
He noted that the Assembly had acquired new dosimeters to help control noise in the city, and any person who contravenes the Bye-Law commits an offense and is liable on summary conviction to a fine, not more than 100 penalty units.
He, therefore, warned street preachers and persons who engage in the sale of products using public address systems in the Central Business District to be mindful of the noise they produce within the city by adhering to the provision of the AMA Abatement of Noise Bye-Law 2017 to avoid prosecution.
