President Mahama details his plans for the GNA and ISD

President John Dramani Mahama has outlined his administration's plans to restructure the Ghana News Agency (GNA) and the Information Services Department (ISD) to enhance their effectiveness in delivering news and government information to the public.

Speaking during a courtesy visit by Madam Esther Ambah Numaba Cobbah, President of the Institute of Public Relations (IPR), Ghana, at the Flagstaff House yesterday in Accra, President Mahama stated, "One of the things that remains to be done is to bring the Information Services Department under the Presidency and modernise that organisation from a civil service organisation into a modern organisation that gives guaranteed information flow to the public in respect of whatever government is doing."

He acknowledged the evolution of communication tools, saying, "The days of the cinema van is gone. Now we have all kinds of new instruments of communication. That Department must be reformed."

President Mahama emphasized the importance of modernizing these institutions to create synergy and ensure they can perform their mandates effectively. He stated, "The Government is poised to restructure the Ghana News Agency (GNA) and the Information Services Department (ISD) to empower them to deliver more effectively on their mandates."

He highlighted that restructuring the ISD would allow it to serve as an effective platform for government communication, ensuring that as much information as possible is available to the public. "The restructuring of the ISD would enable it to serve as a good platform for Government’s communication in terms of making as much information available as possible to the public," he explained.

In the context of these reforms, President Mahama also addressed the issue of freedom of expression, affirming his commitment to the principles laid out in the 1992 Constitution. "That has been one of the most progressive provisions in any constitution that guaranteed the flow of information and freedom for people to express themselves, which is critical to the work of communication professionals," he noted.

He further pledged to restore Ghana's reputation in terms of media freedom, saying, "And I think that together we can work to be able to restore Ghana to its pride of place in terms of media freedoms and free expression."

President Mahama also spoke of a collaborative effort with IPR Ghana to secure land for a permanent office complex, similar to that of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA). He also acknowledged his past contributions to IPR, mentioning, "I know that under the last administration, there were a lot of issues to do without being downgraded on the Freedom Index."

Madam Cobbah, during the visit, congratulated President Mahama on his election victory and commended him for his commitment to the institute, including his donation of a bus. She assured him of IPR Ghana's readiness to assist with communication needs whenever required.

The Ghana News Agency, established by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah on the eve of Ghana's independence, plays a pivotal role in national development, unity, and integration through its mandate to disseminate "truthful unbiased news." Its establishment reflects a broader communication policy aimed at strengthening the nation through accurate and comprehensive information dissemination.