By: Lamin B. Darboe
Information Officer,
Ministry of Public Service (MoPS)
The Senior Resident Director, National Democratic Institute (NDI)-The Gambia has described capacity-building training for the Government Information Officers as fundamental to the effective implementation of the communication strategy.
Mr. Artan Alijaj delivered this statement on Thursday, Jun 8 2023 at Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara Conference Center in Bijilo, as he presided over the official opening ceremony of a two-day communication capacity-building training for government Information Officers.
The objective of the training was to understand the importance of strategic communication and introduction to the strategic communication components, and principles of proactive communication, understand the standard operating procedures of crisis communication, the importance of internal communication, and understand techniques of public speaking.
The training according to Mr. Alijaj, will enhance the knowledge, understanding, and skills of the government information officers on how to implement the strategy and improve institutional and government communication.
“NDI-The Gambia, has, over the past couple of years provided technical support to the Government of The Gambia through the Office of the President and the Ministry of Information geared towards enhancing the government’s communication and public engagement. Through this support, a baseline communication needs assessment and communication training was conducted for government officials,” Mr. Alijaj explained.
These engagements and support, he added, led to the development of the government communication strategy which will guide the government’s efforts to enhance coordinated and effective communication both internal and external.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Polcon Consultancy Mr. Fitim Mulolli dwelt on the following topics: the benefits of strategic communication, strategic communication components, proactive communication, good internal communication as key to good communication with the public, and public speaking.
However, NDI is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, nongovernmental organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness and accountability in government organized the two-day synergy.