Accra: Mr Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, has called on Public Relations Officers (PROs) within the Information Services Department (ISD) to focus on efficiency and professionalism. He emphasized the importance of these attributes as they fulfill their roles as spokespersons for various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
According to Ghana News Agency, the Minister's comments came during his initial meeting with the PROs in Accra, which coincided with the World Public Relations Day celebrations. He highlighted the need for ISD PROs to demonstrate professionalism, competence, and efficiency, especially following the restructuring of the Ministry of Information.
Mr Kwakye Ofosu urged PROs to make 'efficiency' their guiding principle, stating that the government expects unwavering commitment and prompt execution of duties. He reassured the officers of the government's support, particularly in the face of concerns about potential witch-hunting.
Addressing the recent reshuffle of PROs, the Minister clarified that the government's focus was on enhancing productivity and optimizing operational efficiency. He encouraged officers to embrace their new roles and maintain political neutrality as civil servants, emphasizing that the current administration has no intention of targeting individuals.
The Minister also announced plans for quarterly meetings to encourage collaboration, knowledge sharing, and professional development among PR officers.
Dr. Winnifred Nafisa Mahama, the Acting Director of the ISD, shared updates on enhancements being made to the BONSU platform, a digital tool used to communicate government policies. She assured that these updates would incorporate modern technology and artificial intelligence, improving the platform's robustness and reliability.
Dr. Mahama reminded PROs of the Sector Minister's commitment to supporting their work, provided they remain diligent and dedicated. She encouraged them to collaborate rather than compete and to offer consistent support to their colleagues.
Reverend Charlotte Hanson, Head of the Public Relations Coordinating Division at the ISD, urged all PROs to engage with the BONSU platform and update it regularly. She emphasized the importance of capacity building, particularly in feature article writing, and reminded officers of the requirement to produce quarterly articles.
The interactive session gave PROs the opportunity to raise pertinent questions with the Sector Minister, further fostering a collaborative environment for enhancing their roles.
