Government, Media and Medics collaborate on COVID-19 Communications

The Ghanaian government as part of its fight the novel COVID-19 has on Monday 16th March 2020 announced a collaboration with the key media umbrella bodies and the various Medical Associations in the country to streamline communication.

The groups include the Ghana Medical Association, the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association and the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana. The rest are Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) and the Private News Papers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG).

Addressing the gathering in Accra, the Minister for Information. Kojo Oppong Nkrumah stated that the essence of this collaboration is to “support and ensure that public education goes well so that when the public knows what to do, we are all better protected.” 

President of the GJA, Affail Monney assured his organisation’s commitment  to liaising with the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to project relevant Covid-19 communication.

GIBA and PRINPAG both expressed their willingness to collaborate with state institutions to educate the general public on the pandemic. GIBA, for example, pointed out that some of its members have already started with the education of broadcasters to not cause fear and panic through their reportage. 

Meanwhile, PINPAG has initiated moves for their reporters to demonstrate decorum in their reportage on the Covid-19 and stave off causing panic.