Cancelled events: Support organizers with part of $100m coronavirus fund – Entertainment pundit

Creative arts business and intellectual property consultant, Benjamin Oduro Arhin Jnr aka Bnoskka has appealed to government to assist event organizers who called off their shows due to the confirmed cases of coronavirus in the country.

Speaking as a regular pundit on Kasapa 102.5 FM’s entertainment show with Eddie Ray, Bnoskka said Ghanaian event organizers whose events were going to bring investment and tourists to Ghana should be supported by government since the arts industry contributes more to Ghana’s GDP.

“Ghana government should use part of the 100 million dollars set aside for combating coronavirus to settle scheduled entertainment programs which have been called off, suspended and cancelled to cushion the cost of Ghanaian event organizers whose events were going to bring investment and tourism to Ghana,” Bnoskka said on Kasapa FM.

President Akufo-Addo has announced that all public gatherings, including conferences, workshops, funerals, political rallies, sporting events, entertainment events have been suspended for the next four weeks due to the outbreak of the deadly COVID-19.

Some Ghanaian entertainers including Stonebwoy, Sista Afia, Adina, others have issued press statements announcing the cancellation of their shows and tours.

3Music Awards organizers have also called off their Fun Fest event which was scheduled to take place last Saturday due to the deadly COVID-19.

According to some of the event organizers, prioritizing the safety and well being of its patrons is imperative; hence their decision to comply with the directive.

The government has made available $100 million as part of Ghana’s preparedness and response measures to combat coronavirus threats.

Addressing the nation hours after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a pandemic, President Akufo- Addo said it is necessary to step up the county’s preparedness to fight the disease in case of an outbreak.