Ahead of the 27th annual International Noise Awareness Day on April 27, Ghanaians are encouraged to mark the second Eco-Conscious Citizens Day Of Action Against #NoisePollution today, by being proactive and not suffering noise in silence. A statement by the group to commemorate the days said “A look through the media shows that there is a serious concern about the noise pollution inflicted by not just borla taxis, beer bars, night clubs, event centres, and mobile vendors, but also faith groups in the form of Muslim call to worship, church services and dawn preachers”. “Noting the apathy among the citizenry, who either just complain among themselves or do not know what to do to mitigate the noise nuisance, environment group Eco-Conscious Citizens instituted the Day Of Action Against #NoisePollution in 2021. It encouraged citizens whose lives were blighted by noise to complain to the institutions mandated to deal with noise: the Police Service, Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), or the Environmental Health departments of the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs)”, it said. According to the statement, there is a tendency for authorities to shirk their responsibilities for dealing with noise pollution, by directing complainants to go to the other authorities. The statement however urged citizens to remind the Police of its responsibility by quoting Section 296 (g-h) of the Criminal Offences Act, Ghana Act 29, or reminding the MMDAs of their bye-laws on noise abatement. The statement noted that, generally, noise making is not supposed to go outside the confines of one's premises and the Criminal Offences Act provides for a noise-free night from 8pm to 6am, whilst some bye-laws stipulate a 10pm start. “Last year, some of those who went to police stations were not allowed to make formal complaints. Subsequently, an Eco-Conscious Citizens delegation called on former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) James Oppong-Boanuh to brief him on how the inaugural day of action went. On hearing that some stations would not allow noise complaints to be made, the IGP assured the delegation that noise making was a criminal offence and that the Police is supposed to allow complaints to be made”, the statement added. Eco-Conscious Citizens Coordinator, Awula Serwah is urging Ghanaians to take some urgency in dealing with noise pollution, by going to either their local police station or assembly on the Day or soon after to make a complaint. “The laws and bye-laws are clear, and people should not be fobbed off with the unavailability of noise meters. Noise cases have been successfully prosecuted without noise meters”, she said. “Participants on the Day are encouraged to publicise their activism on social media by tagging in @EcoConsciousGH on Twitter and using the #EnforceNoiseLaws hashtag. All stakeholders concerned about noise pollution are invited to the next Eco-Conscious Monthly Zoom meeting on Thursday April 28 2022, 6-8pm, to share updates, ideas and practical solutions. For more details: EcoConsciousCitizens@gmail.com”, the statement added.