Eugene Nyavor
The Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has revealed that, contrary to reports dissseminated by a section of the media, the government if Ghana is not going to pay celebrities to become ‘Ambassadors’ for the global epidemic, Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).
According to him, though they are seeking to work with people who are influential on social media to help disseminate information on the pandemic, the intention is not to employ and pay them, explaining that, “Government doesn’t intend to pay any celebrity to go out there to become ambassadors for COVID-19. I mentioned in our meeting with the GJA, NMC etc. that we were also thinking of having persons with large following share our messages,” he said.
On Monday, 16th March 2020, the Ministry of Information engaged key Media umbrella bodies and the various Medical Associations in the country to streamline communication of the novel coronavirus.
Media umbrella bodies like the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) and the Private News Papers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG) together with Medical Associations namely the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), and the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNA) have joined hands towards the dissemination of information on the virus to the general public.
Ghana has recored 9 positive cases of the novel coronavirus. Whilst the President Nana Akuffo-Addo has placed an embargo on all public gatherings including funerals, festivals and church activities as part of measures to stop the spread of novel coronavirus across the country, some celebrities have also stepped up to help by sharing safety measures with their followers on social media.
