NDC bars communicators from in-studio radio, TV discussions over COVID-19 lockdown

The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has suspended in-studio discussions for its communication officers following the lockdown announced by President Nana Akufo-Addo.

To this effect, all such discussions in the Ashanti Region, Greater Accra and other parts of the Central Region have been discouraged by the party amidst the Coronavirus scare.

“In view of the announced partial lockdown of the Ashanti Region, Greater Accra Region and parts of the Central Region as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Communication Bureau of the NDC hereby directs all Communication Officers and Communicators of the party in the affected areas to suspend in-studio discussions on radio and TV stations forthwith,” the NDC said in a statement.

Party officers and executives of the NDC have been thus advised to use technological means in communicating within the period.

“Officials and Executives of the National Secretariat of the party, shall be operating from their homes during the pendency of the lockdown and will be available for engagements with party officers and members through phone calls, SMS and WhatsApp messages.”

Here is the full statement from the NDC 

“In view of the announced partial lockdown of the Ashanti Region, Greater Accra Region and parts of the Central Region as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Communication Bureau of the NDC hereby directs all Communication Officers and Communicators of the party in the affected areas to suspend in-studio discussions on radio and TV stations forthwith.

All members of the Party’s communication Team at the Branch, Constituency, Regional and National Level in the Ashanti Region, Greater Accra Region and the Awutu/Senya East Municipality of the Central Region are to strictly adhere to this directive.

Regional Communication Officers in the affected areas are advised to engage the media for the adoption of Phone Call interviews, Skype Calls and other new media platforms for communication purposes.

As directed by the flag-bearer and Leader of the NDC, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, Regional Communication Officers in the other Regions not affected by the lockdown, are to ensure that communicators who are deployed for in-studio media discussions, as a matter of compulsion, wear face masks, use hand sanitizers frequently, ensure social distancing and strictly observe all the WHO precautionary protocols during panel discussions on radio and TV stations.

The National Communication Bureau is keenly monitoring the COVID-19 situation in the country
and will review this directive as and when necessary.

Meanwhile, Officials and Executives of the National Secretariat of the party, shall be operating from
their homes during the pendency of the lockdown and will be available for engagements with party
officers and members through phone calls, SMS and WhatsApp messages.”

COVID-19 cases in Ghana hit 152

Ghana’s case count for COVID-19 has increased to 152 as of Sunday, March 29, 2020.

This followed the confirmation of 11 new cases by the Ghana Health Service.

Ten (10) of the new cases were among persons who were under mandatory quarantine in Tamale under the direction of the Regional Security Committee of the Northern Region.

Lockdown takes effect today

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo last Friday imposed a lockdown on the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA) including Kasoa in the Central Region as well as parts of the Greater Kumasi Metropolitan Area (GKMA) which includes Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.

Accra, Tema, Kasoa and Kumasi have been tagged as the hotspots of the disease in Ghana.

The lockdown is expected to took effect from today, Monday, March 30, 2020.