The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has successfully organised a five-day intensive training programme for its Regional Managers and Public Relations Officers at the Alisa Hotel, North Ridge, Accra. The training is aimed at strengthening effective communication and enhancing public engagement across all the sixteen regions of Ghana.
The training forms part of the Commission’s ongoing efforts to build the capacity of its frontline officers to effectively communicate regulatory decisions, educate the public, and to foster trust in the Commission’s work.
Participants were taken through a series of practical and insightful sessions delivered by seasoned facilitators and industry experts. Dr. Ike Tandoh, a strategic communications specialist from the University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMac), led sessions on strategic communications, equipping participants with skills in message development, stakeholder engagement, and communication planning within a regulatory environment.
Renowned radio talk show host, Mr. Sena Nombo of Radio Gold, facilitated an engaging session on navigating radio interviews, where participants were exposed to techniques for handling live interviews, managing difficult questions, and communicating confidently with journalists.
Mr. Wilson Lavor, a social media strategist, also delivered a presentation on leveraging social media for public education, highlighting the growing importance of digital platforms in disseminating information and engaging stakeholders effectively.
Adding a high-level policy perspective, Hon. Nana Yaa Akyempim Jantuah, a Presidential staffer in charge of energy and policy at the Presidency, and a PURC Board member, in charge of the Stakeholder Communications and Research sub-committee of the Commission, delivered a presentation on understanding public relations and building trust in a regulatory environment. She emphasized the importance of transparency, consistency, and credibility in maintaining public confidence in regulatory institutions.
The Executive Secretary of the PURC, Dr. Shafic Suleman, in his remarks, commended the Regional Managers and Public Relations Officers for their dedication and hard work in their respective regions. He reiterated the critical role they play in promoting the Commission’s mandate and strengthening stakeholder relationships.
The Chairman of the PURC Board, Hon. Moses Asaga, underscored the importance of continuous capacity-building initiatives, noting that such training programmes significantly contribute to improving the effectiveness and overall performance of the Commission.
Participants expressed appreciation to Management for the initiative, describing the training as timely and highly relevant to their roles. They further called for the organisation of similar programmes in the future, particularly in areas such as economic regulation, tariff setting, and utility pricing, to deepen their understanding of the Commission’s technical operations.
The training, is expected to enhance the communication capabilities of Regional Managers and their Public Relations Officers, ultimately improving public education, stakeholder engagement, and service delivery to consumers.
