Calls for Reform: Strengthening Public Safety in Ghana
CUTS International Accra, a prominent research and public policy think tank, is urging Parliament to revise the Public Order Act, 1994 (Act 491). The organization believes that the law needs to be updated to include more comprehensive health and safety requirements for event organizers. This call comes in the wake of a tragic incident during a military recruitment exercise at the El-Wak Stadium, where six job seekers lost their lives, and others were left in critical condition.
According to Mr. Appiah Kusi Adomako, Director of the West Africa Regional Centre of CUTS International, this tragedy highlights the country’s inadequate institutional preparedness and poor crowd management systems. From religious gatherings and funerals to conferences and job recruitments, large groups of people often congregate in poorly planned spaces without proper safety protocols or emergency exits. Many venues have only one entry and exit point, creating potential death traps during emergencies.
The confusion observed during this year’s Senior High School reporting exercise, where parents and students waited for over 12 hours to complete registration, is another example of poor coordination and disregard for citizens’ time and safety.
Ghana has faced similar challenges before. The May 9th Stadium Disaster in 2001, which claimed 126 lives, prompted authorities to improve crowd safety in sports facilities. However, two decades later, little has changed in other sectors. It seems that the country is still waiting for another major incident before taking action. This reactive approach to public safety must end.
In the United Kingdom, the Hillsborough Disaster of 1989 led to the introduction of the Safety of Sports Grounds Act. This law gave local authorities the power to inspect, regulate, and certify stadiums and other large venues. Event organizers are required to obtain a Safety Certificate, provide multiple emergency exits, and conduct regular inspections and evacuation drills.
In India, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) requires organizers of large gatherings to submit Venue Safety Plans. These plans must specify maximum capacity, exit routes, and on-site medical facilities, which must be approved before any event. The law also mandates trained stewards, CCTV monitoring, and regular safety simulations.
CUTS International is therefore calling on the Government of Ghana to introduce a National Policy on Crowd Management, Emergency Preparedness, and Service Efficiency. The organization also urges the amendment of Act 491 with the following key measures:
Key Measures for Reform
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Amend the Public Order Act (Act 491):
The Ministry of Interior should consult widely on amending the Act to expand the definition of “special events” to cover religious, social, and sporting gatherings. The amendment should require organizers of public events to comply with basic safety and security standards. Venues that do not meet emergency safety standards must be closed down until remedial measures are complied with. -
Empower the Police and Local Authorities to enforce safety standards:
The Police and MMDAs should have clear authority to enforce crowd safety measures in public places, including churches, mosques, and conventions. The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) should develop a safety compliance framework for adoption. This should include multiple emergency exits, clear signage, fire systems, and periodic evacuation drills. Venues that fail inspections should be closed until they comply. -
Use technology to reduce overcrowding:
Public service institutions should deploy digital booking systems to manage crowds. The Passport Office has demonstrated that appointment systems improve efficiency and reduce congestion. Similar systems should be adopted by other agencies to ensure safety and respect for time. While the Ghana Armed Forces has decentralized its recruitment, it could have set a daily threshold by refusing entry to the venue once the designated capacity is reached. -
Ensure accountability for negligence:
Event organizers and institutions have a duty of care under the common law principle of occupiers’ liability. Those who fail to meet approved safety standards must face administrative or legal sanctions. Public safety must not depend on chance or sympathy after a tragedy. -
Recognize time and safety as consumer rights:
Citizens deserve safe, efficient, and respectful service. Spending long hours in queues to access basic services is unacceptable and reflects weak institutional management. Respect for time and safety should be recognized as part of consumer protection in public service delivery.
While we mourn the tragic loss of lives of these innocent job seekers, we must let them die in vain. We should not wait for another tragedy before acting. The lives lost in preventable situations are the price of regulatory and institutional neglect. A strong national framework that enforces planning, simulation, and accountability will save lives and rebuild public confidence.