GJA urges Nana Addo to respond to appeal for stimulus package for journalists

The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has urged President Akufo-Addo to respond to its petition from May 2020 calling for a stimulus package for journalists.

Its president, Roland Affail Monney said it was a miracle some media houses had survived so far without the stimulus support.

He compared the possible support to oxygen “which we need to get the media houses back on their feet and for them to do what they are mandated to do.”

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government declared various packages for frontline operatives in the global fight against the pandemic.

The GJA says thought the Presidency immediately responded with PPE and a training programme on COVID-19 for journalists, the Government has since not responded to the substance of the petition.

“We are yet to receive any positive response in this regard but we have not shut the door entirely,” Mr. Monney added.

Following the election and subsequent transition, he was hopeful that the government will respond positively to the GJA’s request.

“We believe now that the government is settling, they will prioritise the stimulus package for journalists and media houses whose operations were virtually crippled by the impact of COVID-19,” Mr. Monney said.

The GJA’s petition came after the government announced a GHS1 billion stimulus package to households and businesses, particularly small and medium scale enterprises, under a Coronavirus Alleviation Programme in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

The National Media Commission had also made a similar request amid the pandemic.