President Mahama has been asked by the Reform for Youth Empowerment to appoint Deputy Minister of Information and Media Relations, Felix Kwakye Ofosu as the substantive minister.
The call has become necessary following the reassignment of Mahama Ayariga as the Minister of Youth and Sports creating vacancy at the Ministry.
‘It is evident that, Hon. Felix Kwakye Ofosu, as a Deputy Minister for Information and Media Relations, has indeed demonstrated his extensive working knowledge of governance, attained huge media experience/exposure and political maturity in handling sufficiently/adequately the affairs of State and Government,’ the group said in a statement.
The statement signed by its General Secretary, Ebenezer Arkutu said it is convinced Felix Kwakye Ofosu is best suited to enhance government communications.
The NDC government, the group claimed, is today more than ever confronted with a hostile opposition media largely under the control/influence of the opposition New Patriotic Party determined to heckle and frustrate government’s policy decisions.
The existing public relation units of government ministries, departments and agencies need urgent restructuring to be more responsive with their public communication responsibilities, the youth group added.
‘So far, these Public Relation Units have become more reactionary than proactive in dealing with issues bothering on institutional reputation or addressing matters of public concern in the media involving their respective Ministries, Departments and Agencies which have serious consequences on good governance. This is hurting development efforts and harming the NDC’s Government integrity/mandate.’
It also bemoaned the lack of collaborations between the public relation units of government ministries, departments and agencies, and the Ministry of Information and Media Relations.
‘In addition, there is a need to pay critical attention to institutional capacity building of the Public Relation Officers manning these Units to take commanding control of government information management. This is necessary to ensure that these Units stay more useful and relevant to the information needs of government and its stakeholders, particularly the Ghanaian public.
‘Furthermore, the NDC/Government Communication Team is in disarray and future media engagements are in serious need of streamlining to reflect Government’s information needs and the NDC’s aspirations. The NDC/Government communication machinery is weak and largely ineffective. They have engaged the NPP more than reliably informing the public of NDC Government leadership, particularly with regard to the economy, ongoing investments in key critical sectors of the economy and registered development achievements.’
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