The Events and Meetings Professionals Association of Ghana is optimistic business [corporate events] will pick-up at the extreme end of the year.

According to its President, Theresa Ayoade, business has been growing albeit slowly, despite the gradual easing of the economy.

President Akufo Addo on Sunday announced the lifting of restrictions on number of persons that can attend conferences and other major gatherings because covid-19 cases have dropped.

Mrs. Ayoade who doubles as the Chief Executive of Charter House told Joy Business that the industry is currently operating at 50% of what it used to do pre covid-19.

“Coming from total shutdown, we’re not expecting it to move from zero percent to 100%, but I’ll say we’re operating about 50% right now especially for the corporate events. The private events have resumed normally because those are private celebrations I presume cannot be postponed... things like birthdays, anniversaries."

"So, those are taking place as well as weddings and engagements. Those have resumed in full force and of course funerals are still ongoing but what we’re hoping to pick up is corporate event. The corporate are being a bit more cautious. I would say that the industry is currently operating at 50%,” she said.

She is however optimistic that things will get better as the year gradually draws closer to the end.

“We’re hoping by the time it gets to November and towards the end of the year, it will go up. I’m sure it will go up to 70% but I don’t think we’ll get a 100% operation as would normally have. And we’re hoping that by the end of the year it would have picked up some more.

"Of course some events have been canceled completely and that’s a loss for us in our books but we believe that others will pick up and by December we should have a busy end of year,” she stated.

Meanwhile, event organisers are keeping their expectations measured following the easing of restrictions on the number of persons who can attend conferences and major gatherings.

Speaking to Joy Business, President of the Event Vendors Association of Ghana, Kate Hassan indicated that it will take a while before businesses in the events industry fully recover from the economic impact of the pandemic.

“It hasn’t been easy for us in the event industry but once we have life we know that everything is going to fall back in place…now that the restrictions have been eased, I know things are going to pick up.

"It’s not going to be easy, it’s not going to be like where we were but gradually, things will fall into places and we’re working so hard to put all the protocols in place and make sure that everything works out for everyone. So, it will take time but I believe we’re going to be fine,” she said.