President Mahama Commits to Establish PR Secretariat in Ghana
President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana has pledged his unwavering support for the nation’s public relations practitioners, emphasizing their critical role in promoting Ghana on the global stage.
This commitment was made during a courtesy visit from Madam Esther Ambah Numaba Cobbah, President of the Institute of Public Relations (IPR), Ghana, at the Flagstaff House in Accra. Madam Cobbah led a delegation to congratulate President Mahama on his recent electoral victory.
During the meeting, President Mahama announced that his administration would work closely with IPR Ghana to secure a dedicated site for the construction of a permanent public relations office, similar to what has already been established for the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA).
The President took the opportunity to outline his government’s plans to restructure the Ghana News Agency (GNA) and the Information Services Department (ISD) to enhance their operational effectiveness. He highlighted the importance of IPR Ghana’s input as a professional body in shaping these reform initiatives.
“Creating synergy and modernizing these state organizations is essential for improving news and information dissemination,” he stated. He emphasized the need to transform the Information Services Department from a traditional civil service entity into a modern organization capable of ensuring a consistent flow of information to the public regarding government activities.
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“The era of the cinema van is over. Today, we have access to a myriad of modern communication tools, and the ISD must evolve to meet these contemporary demands,” President Mahama asserted.
He further explained that these restructuring efforts would enable the ISD to better serve as a platform for government communication, ensuring the public has access to timely and relevant information.
President Mahama reaffirmed his commitment to upholding freedom of expression, as enshrined in the 1992 Constitution, particularly Chapter 12. He described this chapter as one of the most progressive provisions in any constitution, protecting the flow of information and enabling individuals to freely express themselves—elements critical to the work of communication professionals.
“The government will continue to guarantee this freedom,” he expressed. “I recognize that the previous administration faced challenges that impacted our standing on the Freedom Index. Together, we can restore Ghana’s reputation as a bastion of media freedoms and free expression.”
In response, Madam Cobbah congratulated President Mahama on his victory and praised him for his dedicated involvement with the Institute, noting his generous donation of a bus to support its members. She assured the President of IPR Ghana’s expertise and readiness to assist in enhancing communication strategies when needed.
This meeting highlighted both President Mahama’s commitment to strengthening the public relations sector and the vital collaboration needed between the government and professional bodies to foster a more informed and engaged citizenry.
By PRNigeria
