Accra, May 7, GNA – The Events and Meetings Professionals Association of Ghana (EMPAG) has stated categorically that it does not condone the flagrant disregard and flouting of COVID-19 protocols as stipulated by the government.
It said it had noted with concern a video on YouTube of an event called “Pneumatica Night 2021”, organized by the Christ Embassy Youth Church at the Fantasy Dome in Accra on Friday, April 30, 2021.
The video showed thousands of people in the Fantasy Dome with no social distancing and minimal mask wearing in total disregard, following which the Fantasy Dome was closed down temporarily by city and national authorities.
The EMPAG in a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency on Friday commended the Ghana Police for the swift action it took to investigate the matter and entreated all members, event organisers and venue owners to adhere strictly to the COVID-19 protocols and guidelines as agreed with the Ghana Tourism Authority.
It expressed its readiness to engage the Ghana Tourism Authority and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture on the unimpaired implementation of the COVID-19 event protocols and guidelines.
The statement said: “The world is not out of the woods yet and we must not let our guard down as a country as we battle to overcome this pandemic. Recent happenings in some parts of the world make it apparent that uncontrolled public events in a time like this can have dire consequences for human life.
“It is our hope that the quality of our decisions as event organisers will reflect these lessons and more going forward.”
It said: “We have so far conducted ourselves in a credible manner in the fight against this deadly virus. Let it not be said that we rested on our oars and things got out of hand. Let us all continue to play our parts as we wrestle against this black swan.”
The EMPAG implored the public to respect and abide by the COVID-19 protocols put in place during events to ensure that everyone was safe at events.
GNA