Accra, June 19, GNA - Government spokespersons in the various ministries as well as information officers in the 10 districts are undergoing a four-day orientation programme to upgrade their knowledge on government policies, programmes and projects.

The workshop seeks, among other things, to enhance their communication abilities with particular regard to government's new communication strategy, which government sees as an improved method of reaching the wider public on its policies and getting the proper feedback for prompt response.

Speaking to the GNA after the opening of the workshop in Accra on Tuesday, Mr. Albert Anthony Ampong, Chief Director of the Ministry of Information and National Orientation (MINO), said in line with government's quest to improve information dissemination to the public, it was prudent that government information officers were kept abreast with current developments in the communications arena. He noted that in the past, government's policies, programmes and projects were not adequately communicated to the public, thus leading to speculations, which often than not were not in favour of government. Mr Ampong said in addition, the Information Services Department (ISD), government's sole propaganda and information delivery machinery, which was currently undergoing restructuring, had experienced shortfalls of about 50 per cent in the level of personnel to occupy positions in the 138 districts leading to slow delivery of information on government policies and activities.

He said to address the problem, MINO had taken the initiative to recruit 683 new staff members, including information officers, secretaries, cinematographers and commentators for the various departments and districts to move the information machinery to a higher level.

Mr Ampong said government wanted to ensure that all vacancies pertaining to information officers across the regions had been filled, adding that the selection of new staff for the various positions would be completed by the end of this month.

He said those currently undergoing the training would be equipped with the relevant knowledge to train and orientate the new staff who would be employed on the vision and mission of government.