Covid-19 Lockdown: NDC Suspends Communicators From In-Studio Radio, TV Discussions

The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has suspended in-studio discussions for its communication officers following the lockdown announced beginning today, Monday, March 30.

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.”

---citinewsroom