Nana Akomea Debunks Media Speculations

The Minister of Information, Nana Akomea, has debunked media speculations that sector ministers were being selective in a Brigham Young university - sponsored programme.

This, he said, should put to rest media speculations that the 10-week course designed for 30 Public Relations Officers (PROs) in the various government agencies were hand-picked favourites of their sector ministers.

The minister was speaking at the inauguration of the on-line training programme for PROs and Ministires Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in collaboration with the university in Accra, during the week.

He noted that it had been the policy of his ministry to improve and increase information delivery and public relations in government in order to create the needed awareness and enlighten the general public on policies beyond their comprehension.

The aim of the course, he said, was to increase information and confidence of the public in governance, saying, "I hope your self confidence will be enhanced in the discharge of your duties."

In his speech, he stressed that, this was in recognition of the important role public relations practice played in facilitating understanding of government policies and programmes and to also enhance a cordial relation between MDAs and the general public.

Nana Akomea further stated that it was the vision of his ministry to transform PROs of the Information Service Department into first class professionals capable of rubbing shoulders with the best in their field.

Notwithstanding, he expressed Ghana's profound gratitude to the Brigham Young University in Utah, United States of America, for their invaluable assistance to the Information Service Department for the training programme.

The Director General of the Advance Information Technology Institute, Dorothy K. Gordon said after the course, participants would make a huge difference as it would enable them to be more familiar with the usage of the computer beside enhancing their ability to package information for their public.

She disclosed that plans were underway to organize a similar programme for media practitioners by the end of the year, which would introduce journalist to the various aspects of software, to add value to their profession.

Mr. Frank Asante, a participant from the local government ministry said, "the programme will help us to upgrade our knowledge as the world has become a global village."