In recognition of excellence in government communications, the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism's Romeo Muyunda was honoured with the prestigious title of Best Government Communication Officer or Public Relations Officer of the Year 2023.
This accolade highlights his exceptional skills and contributions in the field of public relations, setting a high standard for government communication nationwide.
Muyunda and others were awarded at the first ever Ministry of Information and Communication Technology's recognition ceremony, aimed at celebrating the outstanding performance of government communication officers.
The Ministry of Agriculture's Jona Musheko was awarded as the second-best public relations officer, while the ministry itself received an award as the best of all.
In the local authorities category, City of Windhoek Public Relations Officer Lydia Amutenya came in first, followed by Jackson Muma of the Ongwediva Town Council.
The City of Windhoek also won the best local authority award, while Erongo scooped the best regional council award.
In the category of the Regional Council communication officers, Cornelia Shilongo from Otjozondjupa came in first, followed by Panduleni Nepembe from Ohangwena.
The Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Dr. Peya Mushelenga, highlighted the substantial contributions that government communications officers play in the dissemination and access to information.
He commended the awardees for their outstanding performance in enhancing effective communication.
'' It is important to those that perform extraordinary and do their level best, investing much of their time, energy, and effort in order to deliver the best for the Namibian public. Being a public communication officer is not necessarily an easy task because you have too many commanders. You give it to your Dep. Dir.; he or she changes it this way and goes to Dir. Its change otherwise, but at the day you have persisted in going offshore, ''
The award ceremony is expected to become an annual tradition to encourage continued excellent communication in government offices, ministries, and agencies.