Bridal couple, 40 guests arrested in Obuasi for flouting ban on public gathering

A groom by name Philip Ahenekwa, aged 35, and the bride, Ama Frema, aged 40 among other 40 persons are currently in police custody in Obuasi for flouting the ban on social gathering protocols imposed by President Akufo-Addo to help reduce the spread of coronavirus.

They were arrested by the COVID-19 taskforce at Akaporiso in the Obuasi East District of the Ashanti Region while they were holding a wedding ceremony.

The Obuasi Municipal Police Commander, DSP Martin Asenso, told the media that some of the guests managed to evade arrest.

On the persons arrested, he said: “we will charge all of them and bail them ahead of their court appearance on Tuesday.”

He further issued a warning about social distancing under the current public gathering advisories.

“We aren’t saying you can’t marry. You can be in your room; one or two or three people with your ring. But to have so many people and they were not adhering to social distancing, those are the elements of the offence.”

The detection of the novel coronavirus in Ghana prompted a ban all public gatherings by the government. Later, Accra, Kumasi, Kasoa and Tema were put under a partial lockdown to curb the spread of the virus.