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.
The state has closed its case in the Republic v Akonta Mining and two others.
The case was heard earlier today at the Accra Criminal Court, where state prosecutors and CID investigators from the Ghana Police Service closed the Republic’s case.
In all, the prosecution called three witnesses to prove its case, two former employees of Akonta Mining Company Limited and a detective from the Ghana Police Service.
According to an update on the case, the two former employees testified to Mr Bernard Antwi-Boasiako’s deep involvement in Akonta Mining Company’s alleged illegal mining activities in the Tano-Nimiri Forest Reserve.
The police detective tendered in evidence drone footage and other audio-visual materials and official communications in support of the testimonies of the two former Akonta Mining employees.
The accused persons, through cross-examination of the witnesses, sought to dissociate themselves from every mining activity in the Tano-Nimiri Forest Reserve.
At the close of the prosecution’s case, counsel for the accused persons asked the court to allow him to call the first prosecution witness back into the witness box for further cross-examination.
The court gave him up to Friday, October 30, to file a formal motion to recall the witnesses.
The case has been adjourned to November 4 for the motion to be heard.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Dr Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, spokesperson to NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has called on the government and Parliament to undertake major reforms in Ghana’s prison system, including the construction of a dedicated prison hospital and the introduction of regulated conjugal visits.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, Dr Boakye-Danquah shared Chairman Wontumi’s observations and recommendations following his remand on July 20, 2026.
According to the statement, Chairman Wontumi’s experience in prison has given him the opportunity to interact with prison officers and inmates and observe the challenges facing the Ghana Prisons Service.
The statement noted that the NPP chairman believes the correctional system must move beyond punishment to focus on rehabilitation, welfare and productivity.
One of his major concerns is the lack of dedicated, well-equipped prison hospitals, ambulances and standby generators in several prison facilities.
Dr Boakye-Danquah said Chairman Wontumi had raised concerns about the difficulties in providing medical care to seriously ill inmates, including those suffering from tuberculosis.
He is therefore calling for the construction of a modern prison hospital to serve facilities across the country. In the interim, he has proposed emergency arrangements with the 37 Military Hospital and the Police Hospital.
On the welfare of prison officers, Chairman Wontumi has urged the government to review their salaries, accommodation and conditions of service.
He has also called for proper classification of inmates, arguing that minor offenders should not be housed alongside armed robbery convicts and that persons facing trial for serious offences, including treason and terrorism, should be appropriately separated from other inmates.
The statement further highlighted concerns about the need for counselling and behavioural support for young inmates, particularly those serving sentences for defilement-related offences.
Chairman Wontumi has also called for a clear policy on the classification and management of LGBTQI+ inmates within the prison system.
On family relationships, he has proposed the creation of designated private areas where prisoners can receive visits from their spouses and children.
He believes regulated conjugal visits could help preserve marriages, reduce tension among inmates and support rehabilitation.
“The prisoner is the one in prison, not the children or spouse,” the statement noted, explaining his position on the need to protect family relationships during incarceration.
Chairman Wontumi has appealed to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to support prison farms with the necessary equipment to improve food production.
According to the statement, the Ghana Prisons Service has access to vast lands and skilled labour but faces a shortage of agricultural equipment, with only one tractor reportedly available for farming and garbage-related activities.
He has further proposed greater collaboration between prison authorities and the justice sector, suggesting that regional prison commanders should be included in relevant discussions because of their knowledge of prison conditions and inmate rehabilitation.
On infrastructure, Chairman Wontumi has called on the government and private sector to invest in modern prison facilities and factories, arguing that the system has seen limited structural improvements over the years.
Appeal to Parliament
Dr Boakye-Danquah said Chairman Wontumi had made a special appeal to Parliament to lead efforts towards comprehensive prison reform.
He is urging the Speaker of Parliament to initiate discussions on prison conditions as a human rights and national development issue.
He has also called on the Majority and Minority caucuses to work together to pass a new Prison Reform Act and approve funding for a dedicated prison hospital, ambulance services, standby generators and agricultural equipment.
Additionally, he wants the Parliamentary Select Committees on Defence and Interior, Health, and Food and Agriculture to undertake working visits to prisons across the country to assess conditions firsthand.
According to the statement, Chairman Wontumi believes bipartisan cooperation between the Majority and Minority caucuses is necessary to secure the legal and financial reforms required to improve the prison system.
He has called for broader prison reforms across Africa, expressing hope that Ghana could lead the continent in improving correctional facilities.
Reflecting on his experience since July 20, Chairman Wontumi stated: “At this experience since July 20th till date, prison doesn’t reform as it should be. I pray that the entire Africa will learn from Ghana.”
The statement added that Chairman Wontumi remained in high spirits.
By: Jacob Aggrey
