Adopt appealing communication tactics to win public trust –Prof Anning to Security agencies
Security agencies must be tactful in their communication to earn public trust
Security expert, Prof Kwesi Aning, has appealed to security agencies to adopt communication that will put them in a good light when they engage the public.
Speaking on Newsfile, monitored by myactiveonline.com the Director of Academic Affairs at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre said comments from the agencies that are dismissive of public complaints will work against their cordial relationship with civilians.
“I have been appealing also with the service to be savvy in its communication with the public and to use language that generates trust, confidence and opens the doors for dialogue cooperation.
“We cannot and we must not continue to dismiss and overlook the hurt and the pain of ordinary people and the communities within which they are located,” he said.
Police recently dismissed public concerns of creeping insecurity following a series of violent crimes.
Director of Public Affairs of the Ghana Police Service, Sheilla Kessie Abayie-Buckman, said recently that experts use of the word “insecurity” to describe a surge in crime in the country is inaccurate.
However, commenting on the brutalities and other unprofessional conduct on civilians by security agencies, which has dominated public discourse over the last two weeks, Prof Aning said both the Military and Police must always strive to win public trust.
“My appeal, once more, is that let these institutions be cautious with their choice of words; the way it is presented and the manner in which a duty of care becomes a natural aspect of the delivery of the services that the public expect,” he said.
On the same programme, he blamed the incidence of police and military brutalities and unprofessional conduct on an outdated culture in security operations.
By: Stella Annan | myactiveonline.com Twitter @activetvgh
