The Public Relations Coordinating Division (PRCD) of the Information Services Department hosted its annual Government PR Excellence (GoPREX) Award ceremony last Friday in Accra.
The event served as a platform to honour and recognize the exceptional contributions of PROs across the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), highlighting their pivotal role in enhancing government communication strategies.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Director of the Ministry of Information, Mrs Charlotte Morgan-Asiedu, applauded the PROs for their vital role in the development and growth of the country.
She stated, “I am impressed with the work you have accomplished thus far in your various MDAs. You have excelled in your fields and have worked incredibly hard despite all the obstacles to build a powerful and great nation.”
She expressed optimism that the awards would serve as inspiration for them to cultivate stronger relationships with stakeholders, aiming to enhance communication regarding government programmes and activities.
Mrs Morgan-Asiedu further implored the PROs to perform their duties with professionalism and diligence.
The Acting Chief Information Officer of ISD, Mr David Owusu-Amoah, commended the PROs for their role in disseminating government information to the public.
He encouraged them to keep working hard and to support the Department’s transformational agenda.
On her part, the Head of the Public Relations Coordinating Division (PRCD) of ISD, Mrs Ethel Codjoe Amissah, entreated the PROs to understand information disorders as they prepare for the 2024 elections.
That, she said, would prevent these disorders from evolving into destructive tools that could potentially undermine the electoral process.
She stated, “Government PROs deserve this recognition. Granted, there are institutions where PR is respected and allowed to work and be part of decision-making but there are too many others who have caused and continue to make the work of the PRO difficult.
“Most of these gathered here have been through hell and back and still standing. I applaud you for your tenacity and resilience. Recently, the President of the Republic and his Cabinet have recognized your contribution to government communication, thanks to the untiring efforts of Hon. Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the Minister for Information, and I expect that next year, government PROs will have better stories to tell.”
Despite facing challenges, she noted, PROs consistently receive praise for their exceptional job performance. A notable example is Miss Enyo Dakudzie, stationed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, who has earned the prestigious Best Worker on Secondment Award twice in that Ministry. She successfully managed a Bureau entirely on her own until the Ministry appointed a substantive officer.
“I should also like to bring to your attention, our Officer in the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, Mrs Gloria Holm-Graves, who lifted the flag of Ghana high as the Cultural Ambassador for Ghana at the just-ended COP 28 in Dubai.
Naa Korkoi Essah, our officer in the Ministry of Communications, continues to be recognised by the private sector PR gurus for her contribution to Public Relations. There are many others whom no one seems to recognize, though you and I know the invaluable contributions they are making to government PR,” she added.
The Ministry of Trade and Industry’s PRO, Mr. Prince Boakye-Boateng, was declared the overall winner. Mr Abraham Otabil, PRO of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, was the first runner-up and Mr Nasir Ahmad Yartey, the Ministry of Roads and Highways PRO, was the second runner-up.
Assistant PRO of the Year was awarded to Madam Michelle Fafa Agbernorto of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
Patience Anaadem, ISD