Strategic communication key to leadership – IPR Ghana
The Institute of Public Relations, Ghana (IPR Ghana), has announced a month-long programme of activities aimed at promoting strategic communication and strengthening public relations practice as a key driver of effective leadership, trust-building and national development.
The initiative, which forms part of the 2026 IPR Ghana Month celebration, is expected to bring together public relations practitioners, students, young professionals, institutional leaders and the public to explore how strategic communication can enhance leadership effectiveness while promoting ethical practice and professional excellence.
A statement issued by the institute on Monday said the celebration, on the theme: ‘Public Relations and Leadership Readiness,’ would coincide with the global observance of World Public Relations Day on July 16.
It added that the programme would feature professional dialogues, leadership conversations, youth-focused engagements, regional activities and digital campaigns.
According to the statement, the activities have been designed to provide opportunities for learning, networking and reflection, while highlighting the critical role of public relations in leadership, trust-building and national development.
Among the key activities is the IPR Ghana World PR Day Professional Dialogue 2026, which will examine challenges confronting public relations practice.
The institute will also present the IPR Ghana President’s Award to a non-member whose initiative demonstrates the effective application of public relations principles.
As part of efforts to honour pioneers of the profession, the institute will organise the maiden Edzikanfo Lecture, an annual lecture series established to recognise the contributions of leading figures in public relations in Ghana.
The first edition will be held in honour of J. E. Allotey Pappoe, a founding member of the institute.
Furthermore, programme will feature environmental sustainability conversations in senior high schools, facilitated by IPR Ghana’s regional chapters, as well as a dialogue for public sector public relations professionals to discuss issues affecting communication practice in the public service.
Other activities include spotlighting young public relations professionals, leadership training for executives of IPR Ghana student chapters, the Student Chapters Rock initiative and a digital campaign on public relations in strategic leadership.
The statement elaborated that the activities reflected the institute’s commitment to strengthening professional practice, promoting ethical communication, developing the next generation of practitioners and positioning public relations as a strategic asset for effective leadership.
The President of IPR Ghana, Esther A. N. Cobbah, said the month-long programme would provide members with opportunities for learning and networking.
She explained that with the theme the activities had been designed to demonstrate the relevance of public relations to leadership effectiveness, adding that there were activities for every member and encouraging full participation.
Moreover, the institute noted that as organisations continued to navigate increasingly complex issues amid rising stakeholder expectations, the role of public relations had become more critical in building trust, managing reputation and supporting national development.
It, therefore, urged members, partners, students, young professionals, institutional leaders and the general public to participate in activities marking the 2026 IPR Ghana Month and World Public Relations Day.
BY STEPHANIE BIRIKORANG
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