Revellers of this year’s Christmas in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis in the Western Region have thrown the President’s ban on the operation of beaches, clubs and pubs to the dogs as they trooped to beaches, pubs and nightclubs to celebrate Christmas.
Quite a number of residents lined up at the Sekondi, Shama and Funko beaches to celebrate Christmas without recourse to the coronavirus safety protocols.
A number of pubs along the beach in Takoradi was in full operation as revellers patronized their services during the night though no one was found swimming in the sea.
It would be recalled that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo stated explicitly that this year’s Christmas would be celebrated without clubbing and pubbing as pubs, beaches and nightclubs would remain closed.
The ban, the President stressed, was part of measures to curb the resurgence of COVID-19 and was stated when giving his 20th update on COVID-19 to the nation.
President Akufo-Addo also thanked Ghanaians for abiding by the COVID-19 safety protocols and urged Ghanaians to observe the safety protocols during these Christmas festivities.
Observing activities marking the Season in the Metropolis, Spice News gathered that a section of the pubs operated amidst observing COVID-19 protocols such as the washing of hands with soap, and the wearing of nose masks, while others including mushrooming joints were operating without the protocols.
Most of these revellers ignored the existence of the virus as they partied hard, danced and chanted all over with a number of them engaging in all manner of activities without observing the protocols.
At the same time, when the News Team visited some of the entertainment centers in the hotels, the situation was different as revellers were seen to be observing the coronavirus safety protocols in particular, social distancing protocol the wearing of masks.
Prior to Christmas, the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), Mr Abdul Mumin-Issah in an interview with Spice News said that the security taskforce had been tasked to arrest recalcitrant residents who would attempt to enter the beaches as a means to control the spread of the virus during and after the festive season.
He noted that it was the mandate of the security agencies to enforce laws including the COVID-19 restrictions to ensure total compliance and expressed the optimism that they will do their job aptly.
Meanwhile, sex workers who ply their trade around the Vienna City Casino on the Axim Road Highway were scarcely found in their usual numbers though the few ones that were seen had no nose mask on.
One of them who spoke to this reporter on anonymity said they were fully aware of the restrictions as a way to contain the spread of the virus but could not leave their fun to chance in such a season.
“We are aware of everything but you know life must go on. We have lost revenue enough so we have to break even through this season, however, we are playing safe having in mind that the disease is real”, she pointed out.
Revellers who trooped to Sekondi in their numbers for the number-one Christmas event in Takoradi dubbed, “Taadi Bronya” threw the coronavirus safety protocols to the dogs while masqueraders who thrilled fans in their usual fancy dress and dance took turns without social distancing though their masks served as covering.
Story: Seth Ameyaw Danquah
