General News of Thursday, 19 June 2008

Source: GNA

Government policies dissemination not NPP propaganda - MCE

Mankessim (C/R), June 19, GNA- Dissemination of government policies and programmes by officials of the Information Services Department (ISD) should not be construed as campaigning for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr. Robert Quainoo-Arthur, Mfantseman Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) has said.

Speaking to newsmen after addressing a workshop for Information Officers and Social Commentators at Mankessim, Mr. Quainoo-Arthur urged Ghanaians to differentiate between government machinery and that of the party.

The MCE expressed disappointment about criticism of some people on the use of officials of the Information Service Department to propagate government policies and programmes as an abuse of incumbency. "ISD was established to disseminate information, especially on programmes for the ruling government, Mr. Quainoo-Arthur stated, adding that they must therefore be seen as serving the government of the day. The same officials will have to serve the government, which will come after the government of NPP.

The MCE advised officials of ISD to be abreast with government policies and programmes so as to be able to communicate/them to the people without distortions and misinformation. Mr Quainoo-Arthur however, cautioned them to be fair and impartial in the discharge of their duties.