DEVELOPMENT COMMUNICATIONS FOR GHANA

By Mawutodzi K. Abissath

Thursday, July 11, 2002, N0. 148572 Price: c1,500

GONE are the days when most governments in Africa used information purely for propaganda purposes. Today, what has come to be known as the "global economy" revolves around the power of knowledge, which hinges on information and technology is often referred to as information

technology

Having recognised the fact that government communication is different from party propaganda, the Ministry of Information and Presidential Affairs has initiated a move to fashion out a new Development Communications Strategy to elevate Ghana unto the altar of global prosperity.

The concept of Development Communications, broadly defined, means using the best tools of communications to reach out to the people, promote dialogue with them, and get their feedback

and support. "We intend to use modern Development Communications techniques to reach out to the people and empower them to take their destiny in their own hands" said Hon Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, Minister of Information.

This initiative by the ministry has caught the imagination of Ghana's development partners including the World Bank. Consequently, between June 20 and 28, 2002, a four man World Bank delegation led by its head of the Development Communications Unit, Mr Paul Mitchel visited the country. The mission of the delegation was to conduct needs assessment to determine structures in place, and what assistance could be granted to establish an effective and efficient Communications Development system for Ghana.

The World Bank Mission was able to meet with almost all individuals and organisations that matter in the Development Communications business in the country from the public and private sectors of the economy. They included Professional Associations such as the GJA and PRINPAG as well as lEA, CEPA, CDD, IPR, ISSER, NPC, UNESCO, JICA, to mention a few.

For example, the delegation met with the Government Economic Management Team led by the Hon. Minister for Finance, Mr Yaw Osafo-Maafo. At that meeting, Mr Mitchel told the Economic Management Team that his outfit provides services in key areas, including transparency in governance and Development Communications.

Hon Osafo-Maafo, on his part assured the delegation that the government was not only committed to democracy and transparency but human rights, rule of law and above all, the socio-economic well-being of ordinary citizens. Mr Osafo-Maafo told the World Bank Team that the Information and Presidential Affairs Ministry is the over sight Ministry for Government Information and Knowledge delivery.

He said information flow is vital in two fronts, that is, local and external. External information made available accurately and timely will enable foreign investors to know about -the investment opportunities available in the country. He also stressed the importance of giving timely information to the people to enable them to partake in governance and development.

Due to the importance of development communications, the Information Ministry needs to be supported financially to enable it to perform its very important activities. This entails, among other things, improving the human resource capacity of professional and technical training in modern communication skills for its workers, improvement in the conditions of service to attract qualified and competent professionals into the system and the modernisation and networking of the headquarters with the regional and district information offices.

Provision of new Cinema Vans for the ISD with audio visual and communication equipment to reach out to all rural communities with public education and information as well as getting feedback to government is also essential. If one goes by the World Bank's definition of Development Communications which says increasing consensus between the people and government, and taking a more holistic approach to development issues then, the earlier this new strategy is adopted and implemented, the better  it will be for the economic prosperity of Ghana.

The author works with Information Services Department (ISD) abissath@gmail.com

NB: This article was first published by the Daily Graphic on Thursday, July 1, 2002.