Coronavirus: We are awaiting our budget to intensify sensitization – NCCE

Communications Director for the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE), Joyce Afutu, has stated that her outfit is expecting the government to release funds for them to educate Ghanaians on coronavirus effectively.

She said NCCE submitted a proposal to the appropriate authorities six weeks ago and is still awaiting a response from them.

“About six weeks ago, we put together a proposal and a budget to the appropriate authorities so that we can commence sensitization and to heighten awareness of the disease and how people can prevent it,” she maintained.

According to Madam Afutu, although NCCE has not yet received the funding, they have in their own little way embarked on some sensitization campaigns across the country.

“We have been to Teshie-Nungua, Adabraka, Tema station, Odokor Market, Kantamanto, Kaneshie, Osu and surrounding communities, Kanda, Cantonments, South Labadi Estates and in other regions,” she stated.

She also established that the NCCE is making use of its social media, free airtime and permanent slots given to them by some media houses and community centers.

“We have some permanent media slots and some radio stations have community centres where we have free airtime so we are utilizing that and on our social media pages we are publicizing information from the WHO, Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service. That is what we are doing now awaiting our budget to intensify activities,” she added.

Meanwhile, the country has confirmed six cases of the COVID-19, with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo announcing measures to curb the spread, including suspension of public gatherings for four weeks and closure of universities, senior secondary and basic schools indefinitely.