Everyday security: Practical safety awareness for everyday life: The cost of an unsafe Easter

By DCOP (Rtd) David Senanu Eklu 

Festive periods concentrate predictable safety risks that affect productivity, workforce wellbeing, and brand reputation. Ghana’s private sector has a strategic role to play in building a Safety‑First culture.

Festive Mobility and Concentrated Risk

Easter is one of Ghana’s most economically active and socially mobile festive periods. Workers travel across regions, families temporarily relocate and leisure destinations record peak patronage. These dynamics create economic opportunity but also predictable safety challenges.

MISORNU Everyday Security Project observations from Easter 2025 show that festive incidents are largely behavioural patterns intensified by mobility, spending pressures, social excitement and emotional information sharing. For businesses, safety is therefore not only a public sector concern. It is an operational and reputational issue.

Road Safety as an Employer Responsibility

Unverified robbery alerts and exaggerated security warnings circulated widely during the festive period, influencing travel decisions and increasing crash exposure. Employers whose staff undertake intercity journeys for logistics, supervision or sales should integrate festive travel risk into occupational safety planning.

Pre‑travel briefings, verified route guidance, enforced rest policies and vehicle roadworthiness checks can significantly reduce harm. The financial and human cost of festive road incidents far exceeds the investment required for preventive communication.

Hospitality, Events and Duty of Care

Beaches, hotels and event venues recorded overcrowding, lost‑person incidents and theft concerns during Easter peak periods. Many risks were foreseeable and preventable. Crowd marshals, clear signage, child‑safe zones, lifeguard provision and effective lost‑and‑found protocols are practical measures that protect guests while strengthening brand trust. In a competitive leisure market, visible safety assurance can influence customer loyalty as strongly as pricing or ambience.

Digital Fraud and Consumer Protection

Increased festive spending creates fertile ground for scammers. Fake Mobile Money agents, impersonation calls and phishing promotions were widely reported. Financial institutions, fintech providers and telecom operators therefore carry a responsibility to educate customers proactively. Timely fraud alerts, simplified reporting channels and targeted awareness messaging protect both consumers and institutional credibility.

Workforce Wellbeing Beyond the Office

Company‑organised social gatherings can expose employees to alcohol‑related incidents and unsafe travel decisions. Clear conduct expectations, transport arrangements that discourage drink‑driving and responsible supervision help prevent avoidable harm. Forward‑looking human resource teams increasingly recognise festive wellbeing as part of broader risk management and productivity planning.

The Economic Cost of Misinformation

False security alerts disrupted transport patterns and reduced patronage at some destinations. Media organisations, digital platforms and corporate communication teams play a crucial role in maintaining an accurate information environment. Responsible verification and timely correction of rumours support public confidence and economic stability.

Practical Safety Habits for Citizens

Travellers should plan journeys early, rely on verified updates and avoid unnecessary night travel. Families at crowded venues should agree on meeting points and supervise children closely. Mobile Money users must verify agents and protect their PINs. Those leaving home for festive trips should limit real‑time travel posts and arrange property monitoring. Motorcycle riders should prioritise helmet use and speed compliance. All citizens can contribute to safety by pausing before sharing alarming messages online and correcting misinformation within their networks.

Safety Culture as Competitive Advantage

Easter safety risks in Ghana are seasonal and manageable. Businesses that invest in preventive communication, responsible event management and consumer awareness demonstrate leadership in building a Safety‑First culture. In an environment where workforce wellbeing shapes productivity and trust influences brand loyalty, safety is not a peripheral cost. It is a strategic investment.

“In a market where workforce wellbeing drives productivity and consumer trust shapes competitiveness, festive safety is not a peripheral concern — it is a strategic business investment.”