The Effect of Public Relations Practice in Government Institutions in Ghana
CHAPTER ONE
Objective of the study
- To Assess the Impact of Public Relations Practices on Public Trust and Confidence in Ghanaian Government Institutions
- To Examine the Role of Public Relations in Shaping Public Perception of Government Institutions in Ghana
- To Investigate the Contribution of Public Relations Practices to Crisis Management and Resilience in Ghanaian Government Institutions
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEWED OF RELATED LITERATURE
Definitions of Public Relations
Many definitions of public relations have been documented by many scholars. Some are based on what public relations is and others are based on other business processes, such as communication arts and marketing. In this study, it is important to only focus on the most working definitions of public relations. Harlow came up with the following definition after analyzing more than four hundred of definitions of public relations: Public relations is a distinctive management function which helps establish and maintain mutual lines of communication, understanding, acceptance and cooperation between an organization and its publics; involves the management of problems or issues; helps management to keep informed on and responsive to public opinion; defines and emphasizes the responsibility of management to serve the public interest; helps management keep abreast of and effectively utilize change, serving as an early warning system to help anticipate trends; and uses research and ethical communication techniques as its principal tools (cited in Kayode, 2014). The other definition is that public relations is a management function of a continuing and planned character, through which public and private organizations and institutions seek to win and retain the understanding, and support of those with whom they are or may be concerned by evaluating public relation about themselves, in order to correlate as far as possible, their own policies and procedures to achieve by planned and widespread information more productive cooperation and more efficient fulfillment of their common interest (PRSA,2009). Public Relations Institute of South Africa defined public relations as “the management, through communication, of perceptions and strategic relationships between an organization and its internal and external stakeholders” (Mersham, Rensburg, & Skinner 1995 cited in Sriramesh, 2003). The very important term and concept of the modern public relation is that it is viewed as a corporate image. This can be reflected through many facts, such as its history, reputation, stability, financial success, etc. The corporate image is how an organization presents itself to the outside world (Henslowe, 1999).
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy-seven (77) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1 Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain the effect of public relations practice in government institutions. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the effect of public relations practice in government institutions
Summary
This study was on the effect of public relations practice in government institutions. Three objectives were raised which included: To Assess the Impact of Public Relations Practices on Public Trust and Confidence in Ghanaian Government Institutions, to Examine the Role of Public Relations in Shaping Public Perception of Government Institutions in Ghana and to Investigate the Contribution of Public Relations Practices to Crisis Management and Resilience in Ghanaian Government Institutions. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from University of Accra. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
In conclusion, the study on the effect of public relations practice in government institutions in Ghana has provided valuable insights into the multifaceted impact of communication strategies within the public sector. Through a comprehensive examination of various aspects, this research contributes to both academic understanding and practical applications in the realm of governance and public relations.
The findings of this study underscore the significance of effective public relations in shaping public trust and confidence in Ghanaian government institutions. Transparent communication emerges as a cornerstone for building and maintaining positive relationships with the public. The study reveals that open and honest communication plays a pivotal role in fostering a sense of trust among citizens, thereby reinforcing the credibility of government entities.
Recommendation
Government institutions in Ghana should invest in comprehensive training programs for their communication personnel. This training should encompass the latest strategies in crisis communication, stakeholder engagement, and international public relations practices to ensure a well-prepared and skilled workforce.
Establishing and implementing clear crisis communication protocols is imperative. Government institutions should proactively plan for potential crises, outlining communication strategies, key messages, and channels to ensure timely and accurate information dissemination during emergencies.
Government agencies should prioritize enhancing transparency by making information more accessible to the public. This includes regularly updating official websites, publishing relevant reports, and leveraging digital platforms to disseminate information about policies, projects, and decision-making processes.
Foster citizen engagement by implementing initiatives that encourage public participation in governance. This may involve town hall meetings, public forums, and online platforms where citizens can voice their opinions, ask questions, and actively contribute to decision-making processes.
References
- Amare, D. (2009). Distribution of Most-at-risk Population Groups and Their Perceptions towards HIV/AIDS: A baseline Survey in Dire Dawa for the Implementation of Mobile HIV Counseling and testing. Bethesda, MD: Private Sector Program-Ethiopia, Abt associates Inc.
- Belch, G. E., & Belch, M. A. (2003). Advertising and promotion: An integrated marketing Communication perspective.6th edition. The McGraw−Hill Companies.
- Castelli, W. J. (2007). Government public relations: A quantitative assessment of government public relations practitioner roles and public relations model usage. Florida: University of South Florida.
- Cutlip, S. M., Center A. H., & Broom, G. M., (2000). Effective public relation. Upper Saddle, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.
- GedionTimothewos. (2010). Freedom of expression in Ethiopia. Mizan Law Review, Volume 4, No. Autumn 2010.
- Grunig, L. A., Grunig, J. E., & Dozier, D. M. (2002). Excellent in public relations and effective organizations: A study of communication management in three countries. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
- Gruning, J. E. & Gruning, L. A. (1998). The relationship between public relations and marketing in excellent organizations: Evidence from the IABC study. Journal of marketing communications, 4, 141-162.
