Communicating Crisis Preparedness: A Case Study Of Electricity Company Of Ghana

Abstract This study examined the internal communication strategies and channels used by Electricity Company of Ghana Limited (ECG) in its preparations towards crises. It also studied ECG’s employees’ perceptions of those channels used in communicating crisis-related information to them. An in-depth interview was conducted with the ECG Public Relations Manager and results of the responses were analyzed using Morgan’s ethnography summary. In addition, a survey was conducted on 100 employees from five ECG Regions and the results analyzed in frequencies and tables. This study was premised on the systems theory. The findings revealed that ECG’s crisis preparedness communication strategy involved series of organizational meetings with employees at the head, regional and district offices. The strategy had been integrated into the organizational culture where existing communication channels and processes were adopted in communicating its preparedness towards future crisis. It was also observed that durbar remained employees’ most effective channel; though telephone calls, departmental meeting, social media and company website were also considered effective channels of communicating crisis-related information. In addition, social media was most preferred because communication through it is prompt, consistent, easily accessible and it enhances effective communication. The study recommended that more efforts be geared towards making the crisis preparedness information readily available and accessible to all employees.