Ghana To Reduce Noise Level

Many people are worried about the level of Noise in Ghana, yet not so much has been done to curb the unwanted and bothering noises. Noise have different interpretations in the fields of electronics, Neurophysiology, Communications and Social Sciences. In this article, we will learn about the bothersomeness of Noise in our communities, market places and on our roads and its Socio-physiological and health impacts.

Noise is a sound that is unpleasant, bothersome and unwanted by the listener (Kryter, 1970). Our society is over polluted by noise. It is about time we include Noise studies in the Ghanaian Education Syllabi. It is also expected of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) to educate the entire population about Noise reduction.

Noise affects the normal routines of people every day. Some have realised the effects of the unpleasant noise on their lives. Others who are ignorant about the effects of noise have accepted the condition in which they live as normal. That is how Ghana is. This is so pathetic, regarding the quality of life we want to achieve.

Last year, I met three exchange students from Finland at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and this is what they told me “Ghana people are very nice. Hot weather. What we miss so much is the quietness in Finland. It is too noisy in Ghana… We’ve been here for three months and fortunately we are going back to our country next week.”

The major noise makers include churches, drivers and the market places. The pseudo-Christians are untouchable. Woe to you, to say that they are disturbing your peace! You will be judged as a witch, a wizard or the devil himself. You could be beaten mercilessly by these people who profess to be Christians. The drivers on the other hand also indulge in unrestricted and unnecessary blowing of their vehicle horns. As for the market places, you will realise an “absolute madness” everywhere. These sellers think that by screaming all their intestines out, buyers will be dragged to their tables or shops.

Some Effects of Unwanted and Bothersome Noise

• damage to hearing, impairment
• tenseness, stress, social grudges
• sleep disorder
• disrupts the peace
• disrupts attention and it can lead to fatal accidents
• auditory fatigue
• excessive loudness; affects the vocal effort to talk
• delay in illness recovery
• creates negative physiological responses for premature infants
• can cause miscarriage
• affects work performance; reduces productivity
• affects the ecosystem

We need to control the Noise level in Ghana by a punitive law.

References:
Karl, D. K. (1970) The Effects of Noise on Man. Published by The Academic Press Inc., London LTD. Printed in the United States of America. Also available from Google Books.com

Pamela, B., Jacqueline F. B., Ermalynn K. (2006) Noise and the premature infant: physiological effects and practice implications. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Neo Natal Nursing.

Duncan-Williams, I’m the godfather of all Charismatic Churches, Picture from vibeghana.com [Online] Retrieved from http://vibeghana.com/2013/07/28/duncan-williams-im-the-godfather-of-all-charismatic-churches/ [Accessed 21.12.2018].