The CEO of Stratcomm Africa, Ms Esther Amba Numaba Cobbah, has said professionalism and teamwork are essential requirements in communication.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of a training programme on Public Policy and Corporate Branding for the government Public Relations Officers (PROs), Ms Cobbah said, “As members of this important communication team, we must diminish our egos and subject ourselves to both professional and team discipline. That does not mean there is no room for individual creativity and brilliance.”
The programme, which was divided into three batches over three days to ensure effective participation, sought to enhance the professional capacities of the PROs assigned to the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) by the Information Services Department (ISD).
She added that “it is by the force of the consistent, coherent and concerted effort of each member of the team working towards clearly defined goals and within a well-planned system that each of us can shine best because we will be able to achieve national impact, not just limited individual impact.”
According to her, the need for information flow between governments and citizens to achieve development and improved livelihoods is critical in a country like Ghana with challenges such as sanitation, water supply, meeting health and education needs, and job creation, particularly for young people.
“Policymaking for addressing all these and other issues requires constant and honest communication between the government and the people, as we have established. More so in the light of the national commitment to democracy which we have entrenched in our Constitution.
“We are talking of what I may call a ‘listening communication’, not a one-way dissemination of information from the government in order to effectively manage the flow of information and the associated relationships well,” she noted.
Ms Cobbah said the training was designed to enhance the professional capacity of the PROs in their vital roles.
Mrs. Charlotte Morgan-Asiedu, Chief Director of the Ministry of Information, stated that the training was to enhance the way PROs strategise and communicate with stakeholders and the public.
She stated, “It’s always been gratifying to hear of the successes you are making as a Department and particularly in equipping the PROs to perform their critical roles as communicators in the various Ministries, Department and Agencies, Regional Coordinating Councils, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies.”
She entreated the PROs to make consistent efforts to communicate effectively with citizens about the government’s development agenda.
On her part, the Head of the Public Relations Coordinating Division (PRCD), Mrs Ethel Codjoe Amissah, applauded Stratcomm Africa for strengthening the skills of the State PROs.
She expressed optimism that the training would further enhance the PROs’ professional capacities.
Patience Anaadem, ISD
