By Ralph Sesay
The Minister of Information and Communication, Mohamed Rahman Swarray, has yesterday briefed President Julius Maada Bio, members of government, the media and civil society on the structured communication strategy already enhanced by his ministry across the country. He also informed about government’s preparedness towards an imminent corona virus attack in Sierra Leone.
The Information Minister was among many other government ministers, such as the Ministers of Health and Defence, who gave updates on their respective preparations in their ministries for a possible Corona Virus attack into Sierra Leone, especially so when it is already in the neighboring countries of Liberia and Guinea.
The astute Minister of Information recounted that his ministry has widely engaged various stakeholders, such as market women, Okada riders and civil society players with a view to ensure that all messages on the Corona Virus from the Ministry of Health and its partners are swiftly disseminated within and outside Sierra Leone.
This, according to Minister Swarray, was to dispel and effectively counter fake messages. He also disclosed the design of an encrypted Facebook page, which could be used to upload and disseminate credible information and create a very positive image of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation on the Corona Virus.
The Information Minister also used the opportunity to dispel rumours making the rounds that children in schools are being vaccinated.
The issue of designing and disseminating correct messages, on the Ebola response, was a very challenging aspect in the fight against Ebola and many have commended the move by government to restructure and enhance a positive and sustainable strategy to manage the communication aspect of the response.