Strategic Communication Africa Limited (Stratcomm Africa), led by its Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Esther Amba Numaba Cobbah, has completed a learning programme for one hundred and one (101) members of staff of the Public Relations Division of the Information Services Department (ISD) working in Ghana’s Ministries, Departments and Agencies across the country.
The sessions took place in the conference room of the Ministry of Health in Accra. Mrs. Sharon Anim, Stratcomm Africa Marketing Communication Manager, co-facilitated the session with Ms. Cobbah.
The programme, delivered in three cohorts, involved comprehensive and interactive professional learning designed to equip PR professionals of the public service with principles and tools for playing their roles effectively in public policy formulation and delivery. Sessions on policy communication focused on strategy development, communication research methods and digital communication among others.
At the closing ceremony, Ms. Cobbah encouraged government public relations officers to work harmoniously and cohesively when carrying out their communication duties. She emphasized the importance of maintaining consistency in messaging, especially when disseminating government policies. She urged participants to dispel the misconception that PR officers lack technical expertise, emphasizing their unique ability to break down ‘technical work’ of other professionals for public understanding. Networking opportunities offered during the training sessions were highlighted as crucial for forging strong bonds and ensuring a shared understanding of government policies among officers.
A participant of the programme, Ms. Solace Amankwa described the programme design and delivery as unique and extremely impactful. She said “My colleagues and I consider this programme as one of a kind. We learnt without a classroom feel. We networked, shared knowledge and reinforced our sense of common purpose. Above all, we were exposed to such rich knowledge which we quickly internalised and owned. We are sincerely grateful to Stratcomm Africa”.
Expressing Stratcomm Africa’s commitment to national development, Ms. Cobbah highlighted the goal of this partnership with ISD as contributing to sustaining and enriching Ghana’s democracy. Ms. Cobbah said, “The need for information flow between Governments and the citizenry so as to achieve development and improved livelihoods is so vital in a country like ours with the challenges we face in simple things like sanitation, water supply, meeting health and education needs as well as in job creation for young people especially. Policy making for addressing all these and other issues requires constant and honest communication between Government and the citizens, as we have established. More so in the light of the national commitment to democracy which we have entrenched in our Constitution.”
Mrs. Ethel Cudjoe Amissah, Head of the Public Relations Coordinating Division (PRCD) of the ISD indicated the determination of the Division to continue to undertake programmes that ensure that the country’s public sector communicators remain well equipped for their work. She said that the programme with Stratcomm Africa is part of a series planned for the staff of the division. She thanked Stratcomm Africa for the support provided. She said: “The Division considered it an honour to have an organisation such as Stratcomm Africa, which is well acknowledged for its expertise and excellence in the communication industry, to work with the Division on this important programme”
Mrs. Charlotte Morgan Asiedu, Chief Director at the Ministry of Information, commended participants for their dedication to the learning programme. She also commended Stratcomm Africa for facilitating the learning programme at no cost. She emphasized that the commitment of the participants reflects their determination as government public relations officers to ensure that national development goals are achieved through the public’s clear understanding of government policies.
Mrs. Morgan Asiedu also echoed Ms. Cobbah’s call for unity and teamwork among government public relations officers.
