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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has appointed former Minister of Information in the erstwhile President John Kufuor administration, Oboshie Sai-Cofie, as his advisor on media and strategic communications.
Her appointment, according to Asaase News’ Jubilee House sources, signals the seriousness the President attaches to the government’s media relations and engagement during its second term. 

The source also disclosed that in addition to advising the President on the media, she would have a special role in engaging civil society organizations (CSOs) on key government initiatives that may directly or indirectly play a critical role in national development.

Mrs. Sai-Cofie, as part of her new portfolio, is expected to work closely with the Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, and the Director of Communications at the Presidency, Eugene Arhin.

Media watchers and, indeed, well-meaning Ghanaians have in the past lamented about the fact that government is doing so much in its quest to move the country forward, yet there appears to be some weakness in putting out government business and achievements.
To that end, there is an urgent need for better coordination of government communications to reflect the achievements of the Akufo-Addo administration.

Editor of The Finder newspaper, Elvis Darko, in a reaction to the latest appointment by the president, welcomed same.

He was hopeful that Sai-Cofie would bring her rich experience to bear to influence government’s engagement with the populace going forward.

“Oboshie Sai-Cofie is not a new name in Ghanaian media circles. She was Minister for Information during Kufuor’s era and we know that she worked with Akufo-Addo during his first term”.

In his view, the appointment is a recognition that more has to be done on the part of government to disseminate information to the general public.

“Creating effective information sharing, especially with the mass media for onward dissemination to the public in a timely manner, is a critical action I expect from her.

“I think her biggest challenge is how to get appointees to share information with dispatch.

“As an advocate of Right to Information (RTI), I expect her to ensure that all ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) engage in voluntary publication of all that they are doing in the mass media, especially on websites of the MDAs.

“I want to see her joining hands with the Minister for Information and all other government communicators to present government’s activities, programmes and achievements to the Ghanaian people. That for me is key,” the editor of The Finder newspaper added.

Sai-Cofie is a seasoned communication specialist with over 20 years’ experience in governance, diplomacy and international relations, media relations and reproductive health advocacy.

She’s a political tactician and strategist whose previous experience in public service includes serving as Minister of Information and National Orientation, Minister of Tourism and Diaspora Relations, as well as Deputy Chief of Staff of the Republic of Ghana.

She is currently the chairperson of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) National Communications Committee and also the Board Chair of the Ghana Airports Company. Born on April 6, 1953, Mrs. Sai-Cofie had her ‘O’ Level education at Aburi Girls’ Secondary School (1969 – 1971), her ‘A’ Level education at Achimota School (1971 – 1974) and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree, BA (Hons) in Sociology from the University of Ghana, Legon.