Commit To Safety In Event Planning
By: Solomon Nartey Tetteh
Event and marketing specialist Richard Alexander Kyere has urged event planners in Ghana to prioritize audience safety and ensure proper transport arrangements after events.
Concerns are mounting over the lack of attention many event organizers give to informing patrons about security measures and transportation plans, particularly during large-scale gatherings. Industry observations point to a persistent gap in communication between organizers and attendees regarding essential safety protocols.
Speaking on Business Breakfast on Zed FM, Mr. Alexander Kyere emphasized the importance of partnering with ride-hailing services to provide safe and reliable transportation for patrons after events.
Mr. Kyere stressed that organizers must select venues that appropriately match the expected number of attendees. He noted that drawing large crowds comes with significant responsibilities, particularly when choosing a venue.
“If you’re hosting an event like a festival and you’re expecting 10,000 people, and you book only five security personnel, they can’t control those people,” he pointed out.
He recommended the use of international planning resources such as the Purple Guide, which helps organizers determine the appropriate number of personnel, their placement, and the necessary infrastructure for managing large gatherings.
Mr. Kyere also indicated that security should be approached comprehensively and not limited to visible security personnel.
“Security is not just bouncers. Security has to do with the medical, the police services, and traffic control management,” he explained.
He highlighted the crucial role of the Motor Traffic and Transport Department in managing access to and from event venues, stressing that organizers must take national security considerations into account, particularly during sensitive periods such as election seasons.
He also underlined the importance of emergency services, including the fire department, in event planning.
“The fire department should be in mind when planning for events. You need to indicate where they would be parked and positioned on the floor plan during the event time,” he said. Mr. Kyere concluded by noting that as Ghana’s events industry continues to grow, successful event planning depends on understanding your audience, respecting venue capacity, and prioritizing safety at every stage.
