One year ago, on the 4th of February 2025, Rt. Hon. Joyce Lohya Ramnap, mni assumed duties as the Honourable Commissioner of Information and Communication, Plateau State. She thus became the second female occupant of the office in its long history, underscoring the significance of her appointment in an otherwise male dominated field.
Appointed by the Executive Governor, Barr. Caleb Mannaseh Mutfwang to rejig the state information machinery, Rt. Hon. Ramnap simply hit the ground running, bringing to the crowded table a rich rappertoire of public service experience, garnered especially in the legislature where she was at one time deputy speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly.
Her appointment as Commissioner for Information and Communication was no doubt a mark of the governor’s faith in her abilities. Yet, it was also a humbling experience for her to have been saddled with an office so critical to the realisation of the “Time is Now” development agenda.
In line with the administration’s quest for transparency, accountability and good governance, the Honourable Commissioner has indeed deployed her time and talent towards reinventing the ideals that drove the ministry’s operations in its heyday.
Since assuming office last year, she has focused on developing the capacity of staff to meet the emerging standards and deliver optimally on the ministry’s primary mandate. In other words, staff have been positioned to drive initiatives that promote effective communication, transparency, and citizen engagement.
Notably, the commissioner has sustained and improved on some key activities of the ministry such as the Ministerial Press Briefing which brought together Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to present their scorecards, to mark the 2nd year anniversary of the “Time is Now Administration”.
This platform showcased the administration’s accomplishments and commitment to open governance.
Not resting on her oars, the Commissioner initiated the formation of the Information Centre, a modern facility that enhances the ministry’s communication capabilities and also serves as a conference Hall for other ministries.
Aware of the importance of government presence on the information superhighway, Rt. Hon. Joyce Ramnap also led the efforts for the reactivation of the ministry’s website in collaboration with Plateau State Information and Communication Technology Development Agency (PICTDA).
Furthermore, the Hon. Commissioner was at the head of a media tour to inspect projects of the “Time is Now” administration, highlighting the commitment of the administration to development and accountability.
Promoting synergy among state-owned media organizations for the pursuit of a common goal, Ramnap has also engaged the private media on a retainership basis, which has ensured better and more professional reportage of activities in the state.
On the whole, the commissioner’s efforts have focused on strengthening government communication, transparency, and citizen engagement. She has, in this light, led strategic communication reform, fostered strong media relationships, and ensured accurate information dissemination.
The management and staff of the ministry therefore identifies with the Honourable Commissioner as she toes this path that seeks a positive image for Plateau State, and which supports the “Time is Now Administration’s” vision for a prosperous and developed Plateau State.
Happy one year anniversary, Honourable Commissioner!
*SIGNED:*
*Nanman Jonah Kparbong,*
*Permanent Secretary,*
*Ministry of Information and Communication,*
*Plateau State.*
