To Security Personnel at Entertainment Events

What is the issue?

For some time now entertainment events in Ghana have become more dangerous than entertaining to some people; either on or off stage. Ranges from the physical attack of an artist on stage by displeased fans, attack of other fans in the crowd by a bad group, security personnel physically attacking euphoric fans, attack of media team by fans or crew of an artist and now to injuries incurred by some structures or setup from the show.

Another aspect of these incidents that have caught attention and baffles most people has been the attitude of security personnel at such events or the general behavior at security personnel when they come in contacts with A- list artists.

It seems most of the security and safety personnel including, police, soldiers, ambulance service and first aid trainees tasked with various security and safety aspects of such events have continually proven ineffective or unable to control situations especially when their expertise were required.

Why is this worth discussing?

On the weekend, at the musical concert organized by the Ghanaian UK based musician, Fuse ODG, two guys were severely wounded by broken trusses on the stage. In spite of the presence of security personnel at the scene, these gentlemen were left at the mercy of civilians at the scene with no medical background to help transport them to the hospital for medical attention.

 It has also been reported by an eye witness that, there was an ambulance parked near the event. However, the driver could not be found in the time of distress.

This has stirred up a social media conversation on the efficiency and effectiveness of these persons tasked to protect the people at such events. While others think they are simply not doing their jobs but are only there to enjoy the show, record and take pictures with these stars, others say they do their jobs but not their best.

Not to say that there haven’t been events in Ghana where the security and safety personnel were close to perfect in their dealing. But such situations are becoming rare at such grand events.

Are these security people fully briefed of their responsibilities at such gatherings, and what are the measures to ensure that they do what they are tasked with?

Mostly, when there are viral social media videos of a celebrity being mobbed by crazed fans at events or airports, there always are security personnel in their uniforms also with phone cameras chasing these stars for a picture, instead of staying at their post and ensuring the safety and security of the celebrity and others around.

Also, videos of entertainment shows mostly have police and soldiers on duty busily dancing and recording with their personal phones rather than paying attention to the crowd and their posts in order to control any incident.

However, security personnel who travel with international artists from the western world, and those who are on duty at big international events or concerts seem to be up in doing and attentive than most in Ghana and some parts of Africa.

Further into the case of security personnel physically assaulting fans, it seems such incidents are not investigated after events, the security personnel go scot-free at the detriment of their victims. The same applies to personnel who have been videoed doing contrary to what they were posted to do at such events.