Government is collaborating with the key media umbrella bodies and the various Medical Associations in the country to streamline communication on Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19 as part of efforts to fight the menace in Ghana.
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 Newspapers Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG).
Speaking at a forum for the stakeholders in Accra on Monday, the Minister for Information, Mr Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah stated that the essence of the 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.”
Accordingly, the media umbrella bodies and the medics have all pledged their support in disseminating information on the virus to the general public.
GJA President Affail Monney reiterated the body’s commitment towards intensifying collaboration with the Risk Information Unit of the Ghana Health Service in making sure that communication is done seamlessly from health experts down to the various communities in the country.
He reaffirmed GJA’s commitment to ensuring that the Association brings on board its regional executives to make sure information is disseminated successfully.
Similarly, GIBA and PRINPAG have 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 education of broadcasters not to cause fear and panic through their reportage.
The association is also coordinating with regional coordinators to get information down to the people.
On its part, the PRINPAG announced through its President Edwin Arthur and Vice David Tamakloe indicated that it has initiated measures to make sure their news writers demonstrate transparency in their line of duty.
The Association, they assured, is also committed to making sure stories on the outbreak are reported on the front pages of their newspapers.
General Secretary of the Ghana Medical Association Dr. Justice Yankson who spoke on behalf of the medical groups assured the general public of their commitment to making sure that health experts and nurses are well-informed on the novel coronavirus.
This, he pointed out, will complement the efforts of the media organizations in sensitizing the general public on the virus.
He gave assurance of their commitment in ensuring that Ghanaians have the right information in the fight against the pandemic.
