Forty-nine persons have been arrested by the Obuasi COVID-19 taskforce for flouting the social gathering directive.
The suspects were arrested for attending a wedding at Akaporeso in Obuasi, without adherence to the social distance protocols.
They (suspects), included the groom, Philip Ahinakwa, 35, and his bride, Ama Frema, 40.
All the suspects have since the arrest been granted bail.
Obuasi Municipal Police Commander, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Martin Asenso, indicated that though some of the suspects fled, the statements of those arrested have been taken and they would be put before court.
“The rest of the suspects ran away. There were children and youth amongst them and for humanitarian grounds, we didn’t bring them to the police station, we don’t have space for all of them here. But, we have taken their statements and granted them bail.”
“We are not saying people should not get married, but we have to respect the fact that there is a directive on social distancing protocols which have been laid down, that is the elements of the offence,” he said.
The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Friday, March 27, 2020, announced the imposition of restrictions order which seeks to control the movement of people as a means to prevent the spread of COVID-19, after an already imposed ban on public gatherings on Wednesday, March 15, 2020.
By section 6 of the Imposition of Restrictions Act, 2020 (Act 1012), the minimum punishment for flouting the restrictions/lockdown announced by the President is a fine of GH₵ 12,000.00 or a prison term of four years or to both, according to the Ghana Police Service.
On Sunday, April 12, President Akufo-Addo by an Executive Instrument (EI) extended the duration of the restrictions imposed under EI 64 and EI 65.
FROM KINGSLEY E.HOPE, KUMASI
