Govt to merge GNA and ISD – Kwakye Ofosu hints

The Minister of State Designate, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has signalled a major restructuring of the government’s communication infrastructure, with plans to merge the Ghana News Agency (GNA) and the Information Services Department (ISD).

The move, he indicated, is aimed at enhancing efficiency and modernising government communication to align with technological advancements.

Speaking during his vetting on Friday, January 31, Mr Kwakye Ofosu stressed the need for a new approach, citing the obsolescence of traditional methods employed by the ISD.

He further emphasised that President John Dramani Mahama envisions a transformed communication system that consolidates the ISD and GNA into a unified government communication office, ensuring improved service delivery at a more efficient rate.

“What has become clear is that the approaches that have been adopted over the period are no longer fit for purpose. The ISD used to have cinema vans and now nobody will show up if you brought a cinema van to their community.

“It means that things have to change and we have to keep pace with the rate at which technology is revolutionising information dissemination.

“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.”