Minister of State Designate Felix Kwakye Ofosu has revealed plans to merge the Ghana News Agency (GNA) and the Information Services Department (ISD) as part of a major restructuring of the government’s communication infrastructure.
The proposed merger aims to modernize government communication by leveraging technology to ensure efficiency.
Kwakye Ofosu emphasized the need for a new approach during his vetting on Friday, January 31, citing the obsolescence of traditional methods employed by the ISD.
“What has become clear is that the approaches that have been adopted over the period are no longer fit for purpose,” he stated. “The ISD used to have cinema vans, and now nobody will show up if you brought a cinema van to their community.”
Kwakye Ofosu stressed the importance of adapting to the rapid pace of technological change. “It means that things have to change, and we have to keep pace with the rate at which technology is revolutionizing information dissemination.”
According to Kwakye Ofosu, President John Dramani Mahama envisions a transformed communication system that consolidates the ISD and GNA into a unified Government Communication Office.
“So, Mr. President has a vision of transforming the ISD and GNA by merging them into the Government Communication Office, so that they will be able to deliver much better services at a more efficient rate.”