Pastor (Dr) Felix Dela Klutse, the Head of The Church of Pentecost's Media Department, has advised public relations professionals and lobbyists in the United States and elsewhere to be careful in their professional obligations and to influence their realms with godly ideals and principles.
He claims that as riches and political power accumulate, 'big actors' throughout the world are increasingly influencing public relations professionals and lobbying groups to do their bidding in an unprofessional way.
"The scenario is tarnishing the public affairs and lobbying profession's good name. But I challenge you to never be a member of the bad guys, but rather to strive to be a change agent.
There are some decent people working in the public relations and lobbying sector, and they are doing a valuable job. You must be counted among the virtuous, not the wrongdoers."
Pastor (Dr) Klutse, who is also the Resident Minister of Mount Olives Worship Centre, a branch of The Church of Pentecost in Accra's Odorkor Area, made the call yesterday while speaking to members of the International Governmental Affairs Professionals Association at their 6th Annual General Meetings in Washington, DC.
The International Governmental Affairs Professionals Association (IGAPA) is the world's biggest communications platform for governments, business, and society. Over 700 well-known companies, non-profits, consultancies, and colleges, as well as over 10,000 public relations professionals, participated.
The organization's members include professionals, foreign lobbyists, and prominent politicians.
Top US government officials, legislators, corporate tycoons, worldwide public or governmental affairs experts, and lobbyists from across the world are expected to attend the event, which seeks to give a western perspective on the global public affairs marketplace, among other things.
"Public affairs or governmental relations practitioners and lobbyists ought to adhere to the highest standards of accuracy and truth in advancing the interests of those they represent," Pastor (Dr) Klutse said, adding that the governmental relations environment in the United States remained one of the most vibrant in the world.
"You serve the public interest as governmental or public relations professionals and lobbyists by working as responsible advocates for those you represent." To help informed public discourse, you are expected to give a voice in the marketplace of ideas, facts, and opinions. As a result, you must follow ethical processes to ensure that government enterprises compete fairly and openly without demeaning the profession."
Pastor (Dr.) Klutse explained to the audience that political scientists have long recognized the legitimate purposes of lobbying in a democracy since it allows citizen organizations, associations, labor unions, companies, and others to have their voices heard in the political arena.
According to him, the first set of global lobbying standards was established in 2010 as a result of the global financial crisis of 2008-2009. Many nations, he remarked, have progressed over the last decade, but others still lack a framework for dealing with lobbying concerns, and when restrictions do exist, the rules leave too many grey areas and loopholes, he lamented.