The Parliamentary Select Committee on Information and Communications has paid a working visit to the Information Services Department (ISD) to engage with its leadership and staff to review its operations and assess challenges facing the institution.
The visit aimed to identify areas where the Committee could support ISD in improving efficiency and service delivery.
During the meeting on Friday in Accra, the Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Abed-nago Lamangin Bandim (Mpfor Bunkpurugu), expressed concern about the state of facilities and persistent operational challenges, describing them as “unfortunate” for an institution that has existed for more than 85 years.
“We indicated earlier that we were going to make a follow-up to observe things empirically for ourselves, and not just listen to theoretical challenges,” he said.
He added that the committee’s presence, alongside selected media houses, was to publicly highlight the challenges to attract urgent action.
Mr. Bandim urged the ISD management to prepare and submit a comprehensive proposal on its challenges for Parliament’s consideration, assuring that the Committee would work to ensure their concerns are addressed.
The Deputy Ranking Member, Mr. Wiredu Charles Asuako, stressed the need to strengthen the ISD at a time when bloggers and online platforms dominated public discourse.
He pledged the Committee’s commitment to lobbying central government to meet the Department’s financial needs “at least halfway” to enable it to perform its mandate effectively.
On her part, the Acting Director of the ISD, Dr. Winnifred Nafisa Mahama, thanked the Committee for its visit and interest.
She appealed for increased support, particularly in funding and logistics, to enhance the Department’s nationwide operations.
“My team and I are ever ready to deliver. Your support is important in helping us achieve our aspirations,” she noted.
The Committee later toured some offices of the Department as part of the visit.
Judith Twumwaa, ISD
