Grootfontein: Communicators attending the Effective Communicators Conference 2026 have expressed the need for timely, factual, and accessible communication to counter misinformation, strengthen public trust, and improve engagement with communities. Speaking on the sidelines of the conference, Grootfontein Municipality public relations officer Luke Salomo emphasized the responsibility of communicators to ensure accurate information reaches all citizens, particularly those who rely on social media as their primary source of news.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Salomo noted that many people, especially those in informal settlements and underserved communities, are vulnerable to misinformation and fake news due to limited access to verified information. 'Our role as communicators is to provide factual, real-time information that enables people to make informed decisions,' he said. Salomo also highlighted the conference as an opportunity for communication professionals to benchmark their work, exchange best practices, and strengthen networking among institutions. Discussions on democracy and communication were particularly important, with Salomo noting that effective communication between leaders and citizens remains essential for transparency and accountability.

Also attending the conference, James Ornguga, PRO at the Inter-Party Advisory Council in Nigeria's Benue State, described communication as an integral part of human existence and praised the conference for equipping practitioners with practical skills. Ornguga mentioned that participants had benefited from presentations by experienced communication professionals and industry experts, adding that the knowledge shared would improve public relations practices in their respective countries. He commended the Namibia Press Agency (Nampa) for organizing the event, describing it as a platform of significant value for communication professionals.

Spokesperson of the Namibian Police Force, Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, expressed that the conference had created an opportunity to gain new perspectives from international delegates and improve engagement with communities, stakeholders, and wider audiences. She noted that learning how to effectively communicate institutional initiatives and build stronger networks would enhance public engagement efforts.

The Effective Communicators Conference, organized by Nampa in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, brings together communication practitioners, public relations professionals, media representatives, and government communicators from Namibia and other countries to share experiences and strengthen strategic communication.