The Kenya High Commissioner to Ghana, H.E. 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, room is left for rumors which fuels misinformation.
He made these remarks during a courtesy call by the Information Services Department (ISD), led by the Acting Director David Owusu-Amoah and Mrs. Ethel Codjoe Amissah, Head of the Public Relations Coordinating Division.
The visiting delegation was made up of Ms. Phyllis A. Nuno, Ms. Juliana Akyea and Ms. Mabel Awuku.
H.E. Eliphas Barine emphasised the importance of proper information dissemination, saying it conveys the desired outcome and also enhances work through feedback.
He commended ISD for the initiation of awards to reward 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 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, the acting Director of ISD took time to inform H. E. Eliphas Barine on the role of the department and also expressed the need to build 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 used the opportunity to explain the motivation behind the Government PR Excellence awards and added that those who excelled in their communication and information dissemination role will be recognized to make the profession more appealing.
