President John Dramani Mahama has defended his administration’s decision to exclude the Ministry of Information from the lineup of 23 ministries, describing it as a strategic move to streamline government operations and fulfill his commitment to downsizing.
The decision has sparked questions from stakeholders, including the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), which sought clarity on the rationale behind removing the ministry.
Strategic Downsizing
Speaking at a press engagement, President Mahama explained that the exclusion of the Information Ministry reflects a deliberate effort to reduce redundancies in government while maintaining effective communication.
“With regards to government communications, you’ll notice that there’s no Information Ministry in the lineup of 23 ministries we recently announced. That was partly in response to our promise to downsize government,” the President stated.
New Approach to Government Communications
To address concerns about the flow of information, President Mahama announced the establishment of a Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, operating directly under the presidency.
“We had to be very strategic with how we dealt with the flow of information from government because that’s critical to the success of whatever we intend to do. That’s why we brought information into the presidency, with a Minister of State in charge of government communications, and anchored it with a string of strong communications professionals in the most critical sectors,” he explained.
Modernizing the Information Services Department
The President also revealed plans to modernize the Information Services Department (ISD), transitioning it from a traditional civil service entity into a dynamic body under the presidency. This transformation aims to enhance the department’s ability to provide consistent, accurate, and timely updates on government activities to the public.
“The goal is to ensure that the ISD becomes a more vibrant and responsive institution, capable of addressing the public’s information needs while supporting government communications,” Mahama added.
A Balanced Approach
The decision underscores the Mahama administration’s emphasis on efficiency and cost-effectiveness while ensuring that the public remains well-informed. The President expressed confidence that the new structure would streamline communication efforts and ensure timely dissemination of information.
As the revamped structure takes shape, the public will watch closely to assess its effectiveness in delivering on the government’s communication objectives.
