The Eco-Conscious Citizens environmental group welcomes the recent statement by Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga that a Legislative Instrument (L.I.) aimed at regulating noise pollution will be laid before Parliament.
The group has marked the annual International Noise Awareness Day since 2021 with an additional component – Day of Action Against Noise Pollution, which encourages concerned citizens to make formal complaints to the state institutions with oversight over noise nuisance – the Police, EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and the MMDAs (Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies). This has generally had patchy results because noise pollution isn’t taken as seriously as it should be by duty-bearers.
We are pleased that Government now recognises that “Noise pollution has become a major hazard in our communities.” We must, however, sound a note of caution – there are are currently sufficient laws and regulations to deal with noise nuisance, but the duty-bearers often appear unaware of their powers, or are reluctant to enforce the law to deal decisively with noise pollution complaints.
That said, we welcome the introduction of the proposed L.I., and we hope that it will send the right signal to the duty-bearers to begin to enforce noise laws and bylaws, particularly in the case of persistent, recalcitrant offenders.
Noise pollution damages our health and can cause a range of health issues from stress, poor concentration, mental health concerns, fatigue from lack of sleep, cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment, tinnitus and hearing loss.
In 2021, Eco-Conscious Citizens delivered a petition to the offices of the Speaker of Parliament, and the Majority and Minority parties.
The petition to Parliament contained these points:
1) Ban the use of loudspeakers in and around residential and mixed residential areas, unless they are used in soundproofed buildings approved by the Environmental Protection Agency.
2) Make it mandatory for Assemblies to have Noise Teams who can be called outside normal working hours to deal with noise pollution.
3) Make it mandatory for the Police to have training on Noise Pollution and relevant laws and bye-laws, including the Criminal Offences Act 1960, specifically Sections 72, 287 & 296 and Article 12 of the 1992 Constitution, so they understand that Noise Pollution is a criminal offence which must be dealt with when Citizens make complaints, and not dismissed as a matter for the Local Authority or the Environmental Protection Agency.
4) Introduce on the spot fines to deal with Noise Pollution.
We hope that the proposed L.I. will create a mechanism whereby noise pollution is prioritised, and complainants receive feedback regarding their complaints.There should be no noise pollution after 8PM in residential or mixed residential areas. Those who want to play loud music or make noise after 8PM should ensure that their premises are sound proofed to EPA standards.
We urge duty-bearers to enforce noise pollution laws and restore sanity. Duty-bearers who fail to enforce noise laws should be held accountable.
Awula Serwah
Eco-Conscious Citizens executive director
EcoConsciousCitizens@gmail.com
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