The Kenya High Commissioner to Ghana, Mr Eliphas M. Barine, has reiterated the need for continuous, targeted and practical training to keep Government Public Relations Officers grounded to enhance information dissemination to the citizenry.
According to him, it is important to disseminate information well enough to ensure proper feedback, adding that in a situation where there is a closed-door policy, the room is left for rumours, which fuels misinformation.
He made these remarks during a courtesy call by the Information Services Department (ISD), led by the Acting Chief Information Officer, Mr David Owusu-Amoah and Mrs Ethel Codjoe Amissah, Head of the Public Relations Coordinating Division.
Mr Barine emphasised the importance of proper information dissemination, saying it conveys the desired outcome and enhances work through feedback.
He commended ISD for rewarding deserving PR practitioners, adding that “we all want to be appreciated sometimes to encourage us to better situate ourselves knowing that someone is watching”.
He further reminded the government Public Relations Officers of the need to identify that a lot is expected from them as they go between their institutions and the public for an enhanced image through their communication role.
Mr Owusu-Amoah informed the Ambassador of the role of ISD and also expressed the need to build a continuous relationship to help deepen ties between the High Commission and ISD.
“The work of Information Officers spread far and wide and includes the fostering of diplomatic relations and cooperation to build mutual trust, understanding and collaboration through cultural and educational programmes to help cultivate support for the wider relationship between both countries,” he added.
Mrs Ethel Codjoe Amissah, Head of the Public Relations Coordination Division also explain the motivation behind the Government PR Excellence awards and added that those who excelled in their communication and information dissemination role would are recognised to make the profession more appealing.
The visiting delegation was made up of Ms Phyllis A. Nuno, Ms Juliana Akyea and Ms Mabel Awuku.
Mabel Awuku, ISD
