The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has called for a strong partnership between the legislature and public relations practitioners to strengthen the country's democracy and help meet the aspirations of Ghanaians.
He stressed that public relations (PR) was critical in national development and that no democratic society could function well without the use of PR to help clarify facts and not to conceal or manipulate public opinion.
Mr Bagbin made the call when he addressed the 2026 National PR Summit, an annual general meeting and excellence awards in Koforidua, the Eastern Regional capital, last Thursday.
The event was on the theme: "Public Relations and Leadership Readiness". It brought together communication professionals, particularly PR practitioners, from across the country to brainstorm and exchange ideas, discuss professional trends and celebrate excellence in PR practice.
PR role
The annual summit, which was organised by the Institute of Public Relations (IPR), Ghana, was to afford them the opportunity to reflect on the role of public relations in leadership, institutional development and national progress.
Mr Bagbin told the gathering that PR institutions must build genuine credibility rather than create an appearance of excellence.
He stated that PR professionals must be fully prepared to offer honest advice, even when the truth might be uncomfortable and that they must uphold professional standards and respect confidentiality.
"When communication is clear, leadership is better understood. When communication is honest, trust grows and blossoms.
And when institutions listen to the people, democracy becomes stronger,” he said.
Democratic processes
The Speaker of Parliament said it was important for citizens to fully understand what Parliament had been doing, why its decisions mattered and how they could participate in the democratic processes, stressing that PR came in handy on those scores.
Leadership readiness, Mr Bagbin intimated, required more than knowing how to use communication platforms; it also required the ability to verify information, understand public concerns and respond responsibly, even under pressure.
For his part, the Minister of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, whose speech was read on his behalf by the Deputy Government Spokesperson, Shamima Muslim, said leadership required more than the authority to make decisions and the ability to explain such decisions, listen to concerns, build consensus and sustain public confidence.
He said a good public relations professional must do more than manage publicity or respond when a crisis occurred, but must understand the institutions they represented, anticipate emerging issues, provide sound counsel to leadership and build meaningful relationships with the people whose confidence the institution depended on.
He commended the IPR for the maiden Edzikanfo Lecture in honour of the late J. E. Allotey-Pappoe, and recognising the contributions of pioneers who had helped shape PR practice in the country and across Africa.
Critical thinkers
The Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, who welcomed the PR practitioners, said public relations professionals occupied strategic positions in the management of an organisation and that, as critical thinkers, they were very key in crisis management.
That, she indicated, must, therefore, be seen to project a positive image of such organisations and institutions.
The President of IPR, Ghana, Esther A. Cobbah, highlighted the importance of the summit, describing it as more than just a professional gathering.
She said it served as a moment of reflection, renewal and redirection to the values that defined the PR profession.
Ms Cobbah underscored the need for communicators to innovate and lead with integrity and ensure that their work continued to strengthen institutional development and national progress.
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