The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) in the Eastern Region has distributed 50 pieces of locally manufactured face masks to some media personnel and media houses in the region.

The locally manufactured nose mask was supplied by a deputy Regional Lands Commission Surveyor, Nana Domena Antwi-Berko, and his friends.

The beneficiary media houses in the region include GNA, GBC, Daily Graphic, Ghanaian Times, UTV, TV3, Citi News,  Eastern Fm, Myn Fm, Nkumim Fm in Asamankese, Obuoba and Agoo Fm  in Nkawkaw, Daily Guide, Daily Statesman, Today Newspaper, Class media Group among others.

At a short ceremony to receive and distribute the mask, Chairman of the GJA- Eastern Region, Maxwell Kudekor, hinted that the association is working hard to secure the next batch of nose masks and other protective wears for media practitioners leading the coverage and safety campaign on Covid- 19 in Ghana.

“We believe that Journalists are part of the frontline workers in the Covid- 19 management and safety campaign hence they need the requisite support and PPEs to work,”  Kudekor stressed.

He also urged the media to put out the right information devoid of sensationalism so as not to create fear and panic.

Mr Kudekor expressed gratitude to  Nana Domena Antwi-Berko for the gesture.

He described the donation as a timely gesture since most media houses in the region were not providing face masks, hand sanitisers, among others to their employees.

He urged all media houses to provide PPE's to their employees.

Mr Kudekor said it was unfortunate that some broadcasters were hyping some fake news about the pandemic.

He mentioned some of these to include drinking of alcohol to kill the virus, spraying of alcohol or chlorine over one's body to fight the virus, the possibility of transmission of the virus through mosquitoes, preventing the virus with a hot bath or the use of hand dryers, among others.

He advised media practitioners to engage experts on the pandemic and ensure proper sourcing of information on the pandemic.

The donation forms part of Nana Bekoe's contribution towards the fight against the new coronavirus. He has also distributed over 300 face marks to taxi drivers in the New Juaben Municipality.