Government PR Officers Form National Association as ISD Tightens Reporting Compliance
Public relations officers in the public sector have secured a major organisational breakthrough with the incorporation of the Association of Government Public Relations Practitioners, ending years of efforts by successive leadership to establish the body.
The announcement was made by the Head of the Public Relations Coordinating Division (PRCD) of the Information Services Department (ISD), Rev. Charlotte Hanson, during the 2026 Government Public Relations Officers Mid-Year Performance Review Meeting held in Accra on Thursday to coincide with World Public Relations Day.
Rev. Hanson said the newly incorporated association would focus on the welfare and professional development of government public relations officers while remaining affiliated with the Institute of Public Relations (IPR), Ghana.
“After several years of tussle, a Certificate of Incorporation has been issued by the Office of the Registrar of Companies,” she announced, adding that the achievement built on the efforts of previous leaders who had worked to make the association a reality.
She assured the President of IPR Ghana, Madam Esther Cobbah, that the new association would complement, rather than compete with, the professional body.
“This is not a competition. Whether we like it or not, we are under you. We are only a cohort under IPR. This one is for ISD internal welfare,” she said.
The meeting also reviewed the performance of government public relations officers during the first half of 2026 and outlined plans for improving communication across ministries, departments, agencies, regional coordinating councils and Ghana’s missions abroad.
Rev. Hanson expressed concern over low compliance with reporting requirements after the temporary suspension of the Bonsu online reporting platform.
She explained that officers had been directed to submit weekly reports through the PRCD email system, but many failed to meet the requirement.
She announced that the Minister in Charge of Government Communications had directed that officers who fail to submit their weekly reports would face disciplinary action.
“Henceforth, all reports should reach my office through PRCD by the close of Friday each week. Failure to submit reports will be deemed neglect of responsibility and will attract appropriate sanctions,” she said.
Rev. Hanson also announced that PRCD would undertake field monitoring exercises, capacity building programmes, another breakfast meeting for public relations officers and an end-of-year performance review during the second half of 2026.
She called on government communicators to remain committed to ethical practice, innovation and collaboration.
On her part, IPR Ghana President, Madam Esther Cobbah, said integrity and ethical conduct remain essential to building public trust, urging public relations practitioners to combine strategic thinking with digital communication while ensuring information reaches communities with limited internet access.
She also announced discounted registration for eligible public sector practitioners, revealed that legislation to regulate the profession is expected to be passed this year, and encouraged officers in Ghana’s foreign missions to promote the country’s image and investment opportunities abroad.
Deborah Narkie Nartey, ISD
