The Information Services Department (ISD) has distributed 40 new communication rigs and vehicles to Regional Information Officers (RIOs) and Mobile Cinema Operators (MCOs) across all 16 regions of Ghana, as part of efforts to strengthen public information delivery nationwide.
Speaking on Wednesday in Accra at the training programme on the department’s new transport and fleet management policies, the Head of Outreach Unit at ISD, Mr Kwamina Amoah, underscored the importance of proper orientation and continuous capacity building for officers assigned official vehicles.
He explained that changes in recruitment processes have made regular training increasingly necessary, as some officers may lack the practical skills required to operate departmental vehicles, most of which are manual.
Mr Amoah noted that under the new policy, all drivers and MCOs will undergo periodic in-service and refresher training in areas like defensive driving, vehicle maintenance management, human relations, cleanliness, and basic firefighting.
According to him, understanding how to respond to different types of vehicle-related fires was crucial to ensuring officer safety and protecting government assets.
He added that the training will not be limited to drivers alone. Public educators and ancillary officers who work closely with MCOs will also be required to undergo basic vehicle-use training to ensure continuity of work during emergencies.
“The policy also introduces a structured reward and disciplinary system. Officers and drivers who demonstrate exceptional performance will be recognised and rewarded annually, while those found culpable of road traffic offences will be investigated by a five-member disciplinary committee in line with the Civil Service Code of Conduct,” he said.
Mr Amoah further announced plans by the department to establish a Transport Unit at the national level, headed by a Transport Manager, with designated officers in the regions to supervise vehicle use, maintenance, and record-keeping.
He emphasised that only authorised officers with valid driver’s licences would be permitted to drive official vehicles, and that their use would be strictly limited to official duties.
“All departmental vehicles must be properly branded and maintained in accordance with policy,” Mr Amoah said, adding that strict adherence to the new guidelines would help address past challenges and improve operational efficiency.
The Regional Information Officer of the Central Region, Madam Lily Bempong, commended the department for what she described as an excellent and well-organised training programme on the use and management of the newly introduced communication rigs.
Ms Bempong explained that the new rigs differ significantly from the older models previously in use, noting that they are ultramodern and equipped with advanced accessories.
“As information officers, we need to be familiar with the new technology that has been introduced. The older rigs are outdated, but these new ones are truly modern in every sense of the word,” she stated.
She also appealed to officers to cultivate a strong maintenance culture, stressing that the durability of the equipment would depend largely on how well it is handled.
“If we manage and take good care of these resources and demonstrate impact in the field, I am confident the government will expand this support. This will be a major boost for us,” she added.
Judith Twumwaa, ISD
