General News of Thursday, 30 March 2017

Source: topfmonline.com

Reviving the Information Ministry was necessary – Mustapha Hamid

Information Minister, Mustapha Hamid Information Minister, Mustapha Hamid

The information Minister Hon. Mustapha Hamid has justified the need for the Akufo-Addo Government to revive the Information Ministry.

President John Dramani Mahama scrapped the Ministry of Information and returned its functions under the Ministry of Communications, as it was prior to the year 2001.

All agencies under the former Ministry of Information & Media Relations were operating under the Ministry of Communications.

However, some Ghanaians and Civil Society organizations have raised concerns as to how the Communication Ministry’s functions will be different from that of the Information Ministry.

In an interview with Top 103.1 FM’s Morning Show , Ghana Te Sen Mr. Mustapha Abdul Hamid told the hostess Nana Yaa Boamponsem Ameyaw that “My ministry is to inform the general public on the projects and policies of the Government and the communication Ministry has a duty to ensure that there is good communication system in the country, like good network system”, he explained.

He said the ministry and the Information Services Department (ISD) are vital for the dissemination of information to all Ghanaians especially those at the grassroots to enable them take active part in the governance of the country.

He added that the argument that the information ministry and the Communication Ministry have conflicting roles is unacceptable. ” Even the role of the Director of Communications at the Presidency does not conflict with mine,he rather reports to me” he said.

Ghanaians deserve to know the truth about for instance, how their taxes and other natural resources are being used and the efforts being made to enhance their lives.

They need to be able to make assessments and inputs as far as governance of the country is concerned.