Africa-Press – Ghana. President John Dramani Mahama has declared his support for the call of the Institute of Public Relations (IPR) Ghana for the adoption of a comprehensive behavior changes in communication strategy as part of the national response to illegal mining (galamsey).
“I support that vision 100 per cent. Because without communication, mobilization and community ownership, enforcement cannot succeed,” President Mahama stated in his remarks at the opening of IPRA global conference in Accra.
The IPRA Knowledge-Sharing Conference is theme: “Global Realities and Innovative Communication.”
The three-day event, which coincides with IPRA’s 70th-anniversary, has drawn delegates from around the world to address the dual challenges of AI disruption and misinformation.
The President said the core of his administration reset agenda must be not only transparency and accountability in governance, but also clarity in how they communicate with their citizens so that they could be involved in the journey of transformation that they were undertaking.
He noted that one of the most urgent issues facing Ghanaians today was the destruction caused by illegal mining, commonly known galamsey.
The President said this activity had resulted in river pollution, deforestation and the exposure of their citizens to toxic chemicals.
“And so, since taking office, my government has responded decisively, seizing equipment, making arrests and monitoring excavators,” he said.
“But enforcement alone is not enough, and that is why we have introduced the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme,” he added
The President said this initiative supports legal cooperative mining; it restores degraded lands and offers alternative livelihoods to our youth who were involved in this illegal activity.
President Mahama said despite some success in combating this illegal activity, there was much anxiety amongst their people because they had failed to convey the full extent of the destruction and the difficult battle needed to root out a problem that had deeply embedded itself in their nation’s fabric.
“And that is why (the) government has decided to initiate a dialogue with recognized groups, starting with CSOs today, to not only involve Ghanaians, but also give them ownership of the fight against illegal mining,” he said.
“Future dialogues will be held with traditional rulers and religious leaders,” he announced.
He noted that the new media offers them the tools to connect with their audiences in ways that were previously impossible, however, these same tools could also enable miscommunication and the spread of disinformation.
“And so, as professionals in public communications, we need to identify the most effective ways to manage these new media channels to positively shape the perceptions and attitudes of our audience.”
The President said the theme of the conference was timely because technology offers vast opportunities.
He said AI could enhance productivity, support climate initiatives, and improve storytelling in their profession.
President Mahama said congratulated and celebrated Madam Esther Cobbah, President of IPR Ghana, on her election as the incoming President of IPRA.
“Esther’s leadership is an inspiration, and her elevation reflects the strength of Ghanaian and African voices on the global continent,” President Mahama said.
For More News And Analysis About Ghana Follow Africa-Press
