The Global Media Alliance observed the second annual World Public Relations (PR) Day on July 15 at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Accra.
PR professionals, students, media professionals, and other members of the media and communications community attended the event.
The celebration's theme this year was "Truth, Trust, and Transparency."
Emma Wenani, Chief Director for Global Media Alliance, Mawuko Afadzinu, Regional Director for Ogilvy Africa, Akua Owusu-Nartey, Deborah Kwablah, Corporate Communication and Public Affairs of Nestle Ghana Limited, and Gayheart Mensah, Lead Consultant for Komskraft Consult, were on a panel discussion with other PR and communication experts that led to the event.
The panellists discussed how to handle crises effectively, the relevance of World PR Day, and the value of public relations.
The event's keynote speaker, Deputy Minister for Information Fatimatu Abubakar, thanked the Global Media Alliance for organising the gathering to consider how PR affects businesses in her remarks.
She also asked PR professionals to carry out their jobs in a professional manner.
Emma Wenani, the Chief Director of the Global Media Alliance, discussed the significance of the day in a media interview.
We celebrated last year, but this year we wanted to have a debate with industry leaders about how we can mentor and raise awareness of our sector. We believed that attending this event in person would have had a greater influence on the mentor students in the programme, she added.
Gayheart Mensah also expressed hope that establishing a day to honour PR professionals will transform the unfavourable impression that most people have of PR.
We have the chance to attempt to correct inaccurate beliefs and impressions about the profession by institutionalising a day like this, he added.
The head of the Institute of Public Relations, Mawuko Afadzinu, stated when discussing crisis management that "PR is not magic, PR is not waving your hands in the air and all issues go away."
Akua Owusu-Nartey, regional manager for Ogilvy Africa, stated during the conversation that it is crucial given the rise of social media and its conspiracy theories. During a crisis, it is crucial for organisations to either communicate or not.
On July 16, people throughout the world celebrate World Public Relations Day as part of initiatives to reposition the PR industry.