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By Isaac Ato MENSAH<\/p>\n
Accra \u2013 11 January, 2019<\/p>\n
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Otis Sanford, a professor, writer and political analyst for forty years was this week named 2018 Communicator of the Year by the Memphis Chapter of Public Relations Society of America.<\/p>\n
Sanford began his professional journalism career at The Clarion-Ledger in Jackson, Mississippi.<\/p>\n
In August 1977, he covered the death of pop musician Elvis Presley.<\/p>\n
Sanford\u2019s long career as a practising journalist and editor was enhanced by his work as a university professor.<\/p>\n
He is a recognised speaker on ethics.<\/p>\n
In short writing is the name of Sandford\u2019s game; he is not our typical Ghanaian social commentator.<\/p>\n
Sanford has a large cache of written analysis to his credit.<\/p>\n
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But how can you write if you do not read?<\/p>\n
Only those who are widely read and have a good grounding in the relevant issues will dare to put pen to paper.<\/p>\n
President Bill Clinton is reputed to have had time to read novels regularly even when he was in the White House.<\/p>\n
Said Clinton at the launch of the book The<\/em> President<\/em> is<\/em> Missing<\/em> which he co-authored with James Patterson, \u2018I was in politics a long time. It’s the only profession where people are surprised that you know anything\u2026.You wouldn’t go to a doctor who doesn’t know the difference between a liver and a lung.\u2019<\/p>\n Is that assessment true of Ghanaian politicians, journalists and our perception of them?<\/p>\n \u2018Do you want to say something or you have something to say,\u2019 my grandfather shared some staff meeting experiences with me when someone was cautioned before being allowed to speak.<\/p>\n My grandfather was simply saying that think before you talk.<\/p>\n And what will my mentor say, \u2018Don\u2019t just think, know\u2019.<\/p>\n In fact given what we have been reading and hearing through the media, it is clear that our leaders in business and politics say a lot of \u201cfoolish things\u201d – things that demonstrate that they are ill-advised or ill-informed or plain ignorant.<\/p>\n But should we blame their speech writers or the speakers themselves or both?<\/p>\n How did Bill Clinton make time to read in the White House?<\/p>\n Well, we can all choose what our priorities are.<\/p>\n Are you going to lead or take important decisions with a fund of knowledge that is rapidly diminishing in a world bursting with data, analysis and information?<\/p>\n That is exactly what will happen if leaders and policy makers do not read.<\/p>\n Writing of course is unique because it helps and forces us to think logically and convey our thoughts in a coherent manner; it puts us on the record.<\/p>\n And ghanaians hate it; they would much rather you speak if you have to and NEVER ever want to write or HAVE to write.<\/p>\n At assignment during the Pre-Vas TV newsroom training, many persons were shocked when I told them I do not watch TV.<\/p>\n I mean I only get to see what is on telly when I walk into some shopping mall or office.<\/p>\n There is too much rattle prattle on Ghanaian radio and TV, if we care to admit; very little solid analysis of issues.<\/p>\n Of course, very few of the \u201ctalking heads” write anything worth reading.<\/p>\n And the reasons should be obvious.<\/p>\n In Sanford, we congratulate the PRSA for recognising public relations excellence.<\/p>\n We will love to see videos and pictures from Thursday\u2019s monthly luncheon since we are certain there are several teaching points on……organisation, comportment, dressing etc.<\/p>\n These could all impact positively on PR practice in Ghana.<\/p>\n Otis Sanford never felt a gag even in Tennessee; so who can dare attempt to gag us right here in Ghana?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Feedback; ato@writersghana.com.<\/p>\n Writers and Shakespeares Ghana Limited exists to be a moral and intellectual guide to the best practice of PR and integrated communications around the world, beginning with Ghana.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"![\"\"](\"https:\/\/writersghana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/images-31.jpg\")
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