BUCHANAN, March 27 (LINA) – Media institutions in Grand Bassa and Rivercess counties have received L$67,500 from the Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, Adonis Greaves, to help shoulder the cost of coronavirus awareness on their respective airwaves.
The institutions were overwhelmed by surprise during the presentation in Buchanan Friday, March 27, when Minister Greaves pronounced that his gesture was in gratitude to the community radio stations for the sacrificial role they are playing in sensitizing Liberians in rural parts about the dos and don’ts of the coronavirus.
« You have received no financial assistance from any individual or group, but yet you are passionately flowing with the awareness regarding the COVID-19 prevention; this is hugely laudable, » Assistant Min. Greaves stated.
Addressing managers from seven radio stations in Grand Bassa and two from Rivercess, Greaves emphasized the significant role of the media in combating the virus during this critical time in Liberia, especially the period in which the nation’s major financial donors are confronted with similar health crisis.
The recipients in Bassa were Radio Gbehzohn, Kpoegbarn, Diahnblae, Wee, Dukpa, Harlandsville-Magic FM, Light FM as well as Echo and Rivercess Broadcasting System in Rivercess County.
Greaves, who served Grand Bassa as Development Superintendent referenced his days during the health battle against EBOLA in 2014 when he and others shouldered the burial responsibility of victims despite stigmatization.
His donation comes on the heels of increased plea for constant education and sensitization via radio through jingles and programs in the wake of some individuals ignoring the health protocols, while others have engaged in blatant spreading of misinformation on the virus.
« If nations with reliable and advanced health systems can fall prey to the coronavirus, it is worrisome for nations in Africa such as Liberia that are still building their health responses, » the Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs added.
His donation also impacted Correspondents of some national media entities in Grand Bassa County.
In remarks, the Chairman of a local media organization, the « Grand Bassa Media Network » and Manager of Radio Harlandsville-Magic FM; Christopher Yarwoe, praised Minister Greaves for being thoughtful of the media’s impact during and beyond the COVID-19 nightmare.
Yarwoe assured journalists’ commitment to serve humanity despite the level of compensation and pleaded with other individuals, philanthropists, NGOs and government to wear the garment of Assistant Minister Greaves in order to strengthen the ongoing awareness.
Meanwhile, the Assistant Minister is the first on record to engage journalists to provide support relating to media education on COVID-19 in Grand Bassa County.
LINA OSG/PTK
