Information management: The nemesis of Ghanaian governments

Abstract

The challenge of effective management and dissemination of information has been a colonial legacy bequeathed to post-independence governments. Under Ghana’s current constitutional representative democracy, communication is neither monopolistic nor hegemonic but two-way, with feedback considered paramount. The requirements of accountability, transparency and participation in democratic governance underscore the importance of information flow from governments and feedback from the public. Tracking ministerial reshuffles and two incidents in 2009, the paper demonstrates that the Information Ministry bears the brunt of such changes with ministers blamed for poor government information management. The article examines the educational and professional backgrounds of Ministers of Information arguing that government information management is neither journalism nor job- for-whomsoever. It is professional public relations work and appointments should reflect this fact.