The Magistrate’s courtat Temahas imposed a fine of Gh₵600 or in default three months imprisonment in hard labour on the Head Pastor of God’s Shield Gospel Ministry, for causing noise nuisance.
The court presided over by Mr. Festus FoviNukunuimposed the fine on the accused after he pleaded guilty to charge of failing to obtain a sanitation report.
Prosecution, led by Issah Al-Hassan, said the accused is the founder and Head Pastor of God’s Shield Gospel Ministry, at AdjeiKojoKanewu.
Mr Al-Hassan said On June 18, 2021, some aggrieved residents lodged a complaint of noise nuisance against the pastor.
The prosecution told the court that environmental health and sanitation officers were asked to investigate the case and take appropriate action.
Mr Al-Hassan said the officers found out that the church, was a rented structure without soundproofing, sited within a residential community.
The court heard that God’s Shield Gospel Ministry, had been organising church activities with a loud sound emanating from a public address to the discomfort of residents of the area.
Mr Al-Hassansaid the church was operating without suitability health report and sanitation permit from the Environmental Health and Sanitation Unit (EHSU).
He said when the pastor’s attention was drawn to the breach,he admitted the offence.
Mr Al-Hassan said a statutory notice was served on the accused to stop the nuisance, but he failed to comply with an order to suspend the weekday church activities as well as the use of the sound system, and regulate Sunday church activities and report for further inquiries and discussions.
Prosecution said the pastor reported to the EHSU on June 21, 2021, and told the officers that the church had stopped making noise.
Mr Al-Hassan, said, however, a few days later, the residents presented a petition to the EHSU of the Tema West Municipal Assembly, indicating that the church had failed to adhere to the EHSU order. – GNA
