Next government to address constraints of institutions under Information Ministry

Mr Okudzeto Ablakwa, a Deputy Minister of Information, said he was hopeful that the next government would address the resource constraints of the Information Services Department (ISD) and the Ghana News Agency (GNA).

“Our budgets are always slashed to half and the little that is approved too delays in coming. This is a serious challenge and we know a lot of you are doing sacrificial work.

“Hopefully the next government will address all these,” Mr Okudzeto Ablakwa said

Mr Okudzeto Ablakwla was addressing a meeting of staff of the ISD in Ho on Wednesday.

He said the ISD is relevant to the socio-economic development of the country “in a country where we have a lot of superstition, a vibrant institution like the Information Services Department (ISD) is needed to educate the people for national cohesion and rapid development,” he said.

Mr Okudzeto Ablakwa said the number of spoilt ballots recorded in the 2012 December polls would be more than what was recorded but for the ISD.

“Irrespective of financial and logistical challenges, the ISD complemented the efforts of the NCCE and the EC in educating the public on the electoral process and must be commended,” he said.

“Your work simply goes beyond propagating government’s policies. They are very essential though often unappreciated.”

Mr Wellington Gidisu, Volta Regional Director of the ISD District Directors of the Department, said they were using their salaries to run their offices because of delays in allocating funds.