Government Communication during the Covid-19 Pandemic in Ghana

ABSTRACT

One key approach to managing a pandemic is through effective government communication. How countries have utilized communication strategies during this novel Covid-19 pandemic has not yet been well documented in the literature. Using a qualitative document analysis approach, this paper seeks to answer the question; what communication strategies have been used by the government of Ghana to fight against the Covid-19 pandemic? The study identified that the government of Ghana has been using frequent Presidential Addresses, Minister’s Press Briefings, designated Covid-19 Website, and Social and Traditional Media to communicate to its citizens. We argue that these communication strategies used by the government to “Spread Calm, Not Fear” seems to have had a positive effect on the Covid-19 fight in Ghana. Documenting the experiences of Ghana in the literature will greatly contribute to knowledge especially as Ghana has been one of the highlights in the management of the Covid-19 pandemic.

KEYWORDS:

• COVID-19
• Ghana
• government communication
• policy response

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No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).