The 2025 Public Relations knowledge sharing conference is underway in Accra.
The three-day international event, on the theme: “Global realities and innovative communication”, is being attended by communication professionals from Ghana and across Africa. Among issues being discussed are emerging trends in the industry, including best practices.
The President of IPR Ghana, Esther Amba Numaba Cobbah, underscored the importance of communication as a tool for survival and collective progress.
“When the last tree dies, the last man dies. When communication ceases, humanity will cease to exist. So we are important,” she said.
The president, therefore, urged PR professionals to recognise the centrality of their work in building stronger societies.
Mrs Cobbah added that delegates would not only return home with knowledge, but also with practical ideas to enrich their practice.
“By the time you leave, your luggage will be heavier, because you’ll be going back with so many ideas and a few other things,” she said, and encouraged them to enjoy Ghanaian hospitality and experience.
Passage of IPR Bill
The Minister of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, said the Institute of Public Relations (IPR) Bill would soon be passed into law to provide legal recognition, ethical grounding and professional protection for the practice of public relations in the country.
He said significant work had already been done on the bill, which was currently at the Attorney-General’s Office, adding that appropriate recommendations would be made for its consideration by Parliament.
The bill, when passed into law, would create a Public Relations Council that would register and license PR professionals, consultancies and companies to ensure standards were adhered to.
“I will do more than I can to advocate its passage in Parliament. This is a vital step not only for Ghana, but also a signal across Africa that the practice of public relations deserves clear legal recognition, ethical grounding, and professional protection,” Mr Kwakye-Ofosu added.
Commendation
The minister commended IPR Ghana for creating the platform, describing it as a crucial step in shaping the future of communication.
He observed that technology, shifting geopolitics and environmental and social challenges were rapidly transforming the communication landscape.
That, Mr Kwakye Ofosu said, was making the role of PR professionals even more critical in bridging divides and inspiring collective actions.
The minister said public relations was central to the government’s reset agenda, which included livelihood and development initiatives.
“The success and impact of these programmes depend on being understood, accepted, owned and patronised by citizens.
Without effective communication, they remain good ideas or policies that people do not know about or cannot understand,” he added.
Mr Ofosu further charged PR practitioners in ministries, departments and agencies to make efficiency and professionalism their hallmarks as they carry the responsibility of telling the government’s story.
Artificial Intelligence
Touching on the future of the profession, the minister underscored the need for Africa to embrace artificial intelligence (AI) and other technological innovations not only as consumers but innovators.
“The future of PR will not belong to those who resist change, but to those who embrace it responsibly, creatively and ethically,” he said.
