General News of Sunday, 31 December 2017
Source: 3news.com
2017-12-31
On 31st nights, some people burn car tyres to ‘drive away evil forces’ that fought them in the year
With few hours to end the year, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) is cautioning against the practice of burning car tyres by some Ghanaians with the view to stopping ‘evil forces’ that fought them in 2017, from entering the New Year with them.
According to NADMO, New Year celebrants have over the years been engaging in the burning of tyres on 31st nights in what could be termed as a spiritual exercise done to drive away evil spirits.
“They [people] carry out this environmentally unfriendly activity under the superstitious belief of driving away the evil forces that militated against their progress and prosperity in the previous year,” a statement issued by the Director General of NADMO, Eric Nana Agyemang Prempeh said.
It explained that such practice is inimical to the environment and public health because of the dangerous toxic waste release from the tyre burning into the atmosphere.
“It also has dangerous ramifications for our butiminious roads that are constructed with the nation’s scarce resources,” it stated.
NADMO has therefore cautioned against the practice.
Meanwhile, it has thanked Ghanaians, particularly the clients and partners of the organisation, for their critical roles in preventing and managing disasters in the country in 2017.
“We want to encourage all to work hard with determination wherever they find themselves as that is the surest way to guarantee progress and prosperity,” it urged.