News
Protect journalists against COVID-19
The protection of journalists against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is paramount as their work involves frequent interviews with people at all levels while performing their duties.
In this era of COVID-19 the work of journalists has become more challenging and risky; therefore, their safety should not be compromised at all as they can easily contract the virus at the least negligence and later spread it because they leave their homes to report in this difficult circumstances and at the end of the day go back to their families.
Recent photographs captured by the Spectator’s photojournalists showed media persons breaching the COVID-19 protocol on social distancing as they huddled round an interviewee to take photos and record him as duty demands to feed their media houses with the news for public consumption.
In fact, the rate at which the coronavirus is spreading at the community level is so alarming. The current confirmed cases is 22,822 with 17,564 recoveries/discharge and 129 deaths. It should serve as a warning sign for journalists to take their destiny into their own hands and be responsible for their own safety.
In an interview, some of the journalists who spoke to our photojournalist on condition of anonymity, for fear of reprisal from their employers, complained that, “We are going into the field, returning to the office, working and contacting the public in the same way, without Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) from our employers.”
Another journalist revealed, “I am mentally and conditionally prepared that I am going to get the virus, and I do not feel like I can save myself from this.” According to him, “job security is also another issue affecting the mental health of journalists, many of whom have lost their jobs during the pandemic.”
It is obvious that for fear of losing their jobs these journalists had to sacrifice in such dangerous circumstance to seek information for their media houses at the expense of their health. Reports say that some journalists have already tested positive with the virus and many more are extremely vulnerable because of their daily news coverage.
It behoves on authorities of media houses to provide PPE and the necessary equipment for their media team, especially the camera crew to help them zoom from afar as they must stay safe and healthy to report on issues. Also, journalists with serious health conditions which make them vulnerable must be allowed to work from home.
Meanwhile, journalists must strictly adhere to the COVID-19 safety protocols and wear nose or face masks regularly, wash their hands regularly with soap under running water, use alcohol-based sanitisers to clean their microphones, cameras, recorders and all other equipment and also ensure that they abide by all other protocols for their own safety as COVID-19 is no respecter of persons.
Per UNICEF’s safety guidelines for journalists reporting on COVID-19, “if a government spokesperson, senior official or minister is giving a statement, agree among yourselves to record them from at least six feet away and try to stand without huddling.”
The guidelines further says that, “Better still, convince dignitaries to conduct digital press conferences with questions from journalists taken up live as there are plenty of technological platforms available to make this happen”
The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) must also ensure that all journalists adhere to the GJA’s guidelines for journalists on COVID-19 precautionary measures when reporting, to ensure that they are protected against the virus as they are daily exposed to all kinds of dangers.
Also, a photojournalist disclosed that despite their “wish to adhere to the precautionary measures, the reality on the field while covering events is different” so the GJA must act promptly to check these realities on the ground and address those issues.
“We always need to get close enough to get good visuals and photographs of both health workers and patients to tell our stories,” the photojournalist added.
The Spectator would like to appreciate the efforts of some individuals and organisations that have so far donated PPE to some media houses to support journalists. We further appeal to other benevolent organisations to donate more PPE to enhance the work of journalists.
Companies that are in the position of donating modern equipment to media houses should not hesitate to do so or sell them at reduced costs in this era of COVID-19 to help the media houses to perform their duties effectively.
The government must also give a special package to journalists who risk their lives to cover assignments on COVID-19 as a form of motivation.
Administrator of the Minerals Development Fund, Hannah Louisa Bissiw, has appealed to supporters of the National Democratic Congress to remain patient as the government works to create employment opportunities.
According to her on GHone TV today, March 12, 2026 the government led by John Dramani Mahama is taking steps to stabilise the economy and address several national challenges, which she believes will eventually create more jobs for the youth.
Dr Bissiw explained that the government inherited many difficulties and is working to fix issues affecting roads, water, electricity, education and the economy.
She noted that addressing these problems takes time and therefore party supporters must allow the government the space to implement its programmes.
Dr Bissiw indicated that leaders of the party, including the National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, have been engaging supporters across the country and encouraging them to remain patient.
According to her, improvements in the economy are already being seen, including stability of the Ghana cedi and a reduction in food prices.
She explained that these developments are helping to ease some of the economic pressure on citizens.
Dr Bissiw further stated that the government is making efforts to support young people, especially those who were previously denied employment opportunities.
She revealed that she has personally helped about 63 young people secure opportunities even though they were not previously known to her.
Dr Bissiw therefore appealed to party supporters to remain hopeful and continue supporting the government as it works to improve the economy and create more opportunities for the youth.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party, Justin Kodua Frimpong, has clarified that the party’s ongoing online membership registration is open to all Ghanaians.
He explained that the registration process allows anyone interested in joining the party to sign up, regardless of their previous political affiliation.
Mr Kodua Frimpong made the remarks on Thursday at the NPP head office in Accra while addressing concerns that supporters of other political parties could take advantage of the online system to register.
According to him, every Ghanaian has the right to register and become a member of the party if they choose to do so.
He added that even the National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, could register if he wished to join the New Patriotic Party.
Mr Kodua Frimpong noted that if Mr Asiedu Nketia decides to sign up, he would be accepted like any other person who wants to become a member.
He further stated that such a decision would mean that the NDC chairman has recognised the values of the NPP.
The NPP General Secretary was providing an update to the public on the party’s membership registration exercise.
By: Jacob Aggrey
