Association of Professional Development Communicators launched
The Lebanese Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Maher Kheir, has called on communication professionals to use communication as a tool to drive the country’s socio-economic development.
He said by drawing the attention of duty bearers to critical needs of the society in a dispassionate manner, sustainable development challenges such as unemployment, poverty, and inequality would be addressed.
“Communicators are pillars of a growing society because they build bridges between people and cultures. They are not only interested in disseminating information but, more importantly, in providing solutions,” he said.
Mr Kheir was speaking at the launch of the Association of Professional Development Communicators (APDC) held in Accra on Friday on the theme “Advancing Sustainable and Resilient Development through Strategic and Innovative Communication”.
APDC is an association to promote effective communication for development, leverage diverse communication, and advocate for positive behavioural change.
The launch brought together representatives from the Ghana Journalists Association (GJ A), student journalists, the Institute of Public Relations (IPR) and high ranking officials from Lebanon to discuss ways to ensure sustainable development.
He emphasised the importance of accurate information and transparency in fostering trust and cooperation among stakeholders.
The ambassador highlighted the role of innovation and education in driving sustainable growth and ensuring a resilient future for all Ghanaians.
“Communicators are pillars of a growing society because they build bridges between people and cultures. They are not only interested in disseminating information but, more importantly, in providing solutions,” he said.
The ambassador underscored the importance of development as a broad, all-inclusive concept that required efforts from all sectors of society.
“This association combines development communicators, both in academia and industry, to harness communication for development,” he said.
“The establishment of APDC Ghana marks a pivotal moment in leveraging communication to drive development and foster collaboration among various sectors to address the pressing challenges of today and build a better future for all Ghanaians,” he added.
The Business Development Consultant at Baobab-Grove Associates Limited, Dr Elvis Bonoemuleng Botah, urged the government to avoid “politicising the economy” to help promote developmental projects and meet short-term goals irrespective of change of government.
“Every single youth is lamenting over hardship and how difficult it is to even get a job. The economy has created an environment where opportunities are scarce, and young people are struggling to find stable employment,” he said.
He said that 20 million people have been displaced from their settlements as a result of underdevelopment, adding that citizens should help support and promote sustainable development through hard work and creativity.
“We must come together to support and promote sustainable development through hard work and dedication. It’s not just about government action. It’s about each of us doing our part to build a better, more stable future for our communities,” he said.
The President of APDC, Mrs Ruth Abanga, said that building the capacity of communicators was crucial for the progress of the nation.
“We need to equip our communicators with the skills and tools necessary to convey critical messages about health, education, and sustainable practices. This will enable them to effectively engage with the public and promote positive change,” she said.
BY AGNES OWUSU
