APRA President Holds Discussions with IPR Ghana Team in Accra
Mr. Arik Karani, President of the African Public Relations Association (APRA), currently on a brief visit to Ghana, met with Esther Amba Numaba Cobbah, President of the Institute of Public Relations (IPR), Ghana, and members of the Institute at the IPR Secretariat in Accra on Tuesday, August 12.
The meeting was attended by some members of the IPR, including Deputy Honorary Secretary Abraham Otabil, Treasurer Gabriel Nii Otu Ankrah, Chair of the Student Chapter Coordinating Committee Ivy Heward Mills, Chair of the International Relations Committee Peter Martey Agbeko, Government Relations Committee member Nana Sifa Twum, Immediate Past Deputy Honorary Secretary Kwabena Asare Okae Anti, Mr. Issa Monney, an IPR member and IPR Deputy Executive Secretary Paa Kofi Nyarko.
After a brief welcome by Ms. Cobbah, she invited the attendees to introduce themselves before formally introducing Mr. Karani and outlining the purpose of the meeting.
Mr. Karani shared that his visit to Ghana had a dual purpose: attending a private event and connecting in person with the IPR executive and members, some of whom he met during the recent APRA conference in Côte d’Ivoire. His visit provided an opportunity to build on these connections.
In her remarks, Ms. Cobbah highlighted the shared interests and goals of IPR and APRA, emphasising the importance of continued partnership and collaboration. She proposed linking APRA to the International Public Relations Association (IPRA), where she serves as a Board Member.
Discussing the vision and mission of IPR Ghana, Ms. Cobbah stated, “Over the next five years, we are committed to building a strong community of excellent professionals with an impactful voice, nationally, continentally, and globally. Continentally, you are here, and we will ensure your voice is heard nationally through the activities you’ll undertake during your visit. Please help amplify our voice continentally and globally.”
Mr. Karani, who is based in Washington, expressed his pleasure at being in Ghana, noting the joy of meeting his colleagues. He promised to do everything possible to strengthen the working relationships between IPR Ghana and other continental bodies.
According to the schedule prepared by his hosts, Mr. Karani, along with Ms. Cobbah and other members of the Institute, will meet with Hon. Fatimah Abubakar, Minister of Information, and engage with Public Relations students at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) during his visit.
Mr. Kwabena Okae, the immediate past IPR Deputy Honorary Secretary and an advocate for documenting the history and operations of professional associations, had the opportunity to share his current work on APRA with the attendees. It was revealed that Mr. Okae’s dedication had been recognised, as Mr. Karani encouraged him to continue his good work.
As part of the event, Mr. Okae presented a commemorative document marking APRA’s 40th anniversary to Mr. Karani, who expressed his appreciation. Mr. Okae is now working on another commemorative document to celebrate the Association’s upcoming 50th anniversary.
The African Public Relations Association (APRA) is the successor to the Federation of African Public Relations Associations (FAPRA), established in 1975 in Nairobi, Kenya. APRA was formed to promote unity among public relations practitioners across Africa through interaction and the exchange of ideas.
IPR Ghana, founded in 1972 and registered as a professional body under the Professional Bodies Registration Decree 1973, is the professional body for public relations practitioners in Ghana. It provides a structured environment for the practice of public relations and enhances the status of its members as professional practitioners. IPR Ghana has had a cooperation agreement with IPRA since 2019.
Also the visiting APRA President interacted with students from the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), University of Media Arts and Communication (UniMAC), and the African University College of Communications (A.U.C.C).
The session with the students was hosted by Strategic Communications Africa Limited (Stratcomm Africa).
Also the name the immediate Past Honorary Secretary is Kwabena Asare Okae-Anti
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By Peter Martey Agbeko
source:newsflashafrica.com
