The Institute of Public Relations (IPR) Ghana has awarded accreditation to 30 professionals after satisfying the conditions set forth by the Institute and who have also contributed immensely towards the growth of the profession in the country.
Some of the award recipients received the accreditation after having successfully passing examinations set by the Institute while others attained exemption accreditation after having proven their worth through projects initiated to enhance the development of the profession.
Among those inducted at a ceremony in Accra include: Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the Minister of Information; Professor Abeiku Blankson, the Vice President of the Ghana Technology University College; Mr Ahmed Dasana Nantogmah, the Head of Public Relations (PR) of the Ghana Chamber of Mines; Mrs Gifty Bingley, the Senior Communications Officer of the African Union, Ghana and Nana Defie Badu, the Director of Consumer and Corporate Affairs of the National Communication Authority.
Ms Elaine Sam, APR the President of IPR Ghana, said the Institute has monitored and assessed the newly accredited professionals and believes in their capabilities.
She said sometimes, people just conferred titles on themselves without going through any professional training in an accredited and recognised Public Relations (PR) institutions- leading to unprofessional execution of PR duties in organisations.
The newly accredited members, she said, were expected to continue practising with high professional and ethical standards to make positive impact on the profession.
Ms Sam said the competition was keen as far as PR was concerned and urged institutions to employ professionals if they wanted their businesses to thrive.
She advised individuals with interest in PR to be careful with the institutions they enroll into to be trained as PR practitioners as some were not offering the required knowledge and were not credible enough.
The president called on them to use their rich experience for the welfare and progress of IPR, Ghana to enable it maintain its relevance in the communications space. “The future of our profession lies with your hands and I will entreat you to ponder on how you can draw closer to the Institute to make our profession more respected and relevant at all times” she added.
The vice president of IPR and head of marketing and corporate communications at Stanbic Bank, Mawuko Afadzinu in his presentation celebrated the members on their achievements. He noted, having achieved the heights in Public Relations, there was the need for them to give back to the profession. He quizzed what next for them after attaining the highest level of qualifications in Public Relations?
“You need to consider giving back through mentorship and raising the next level of PR champions in order to justify your elevation” Mr. Afazdinu said. He added the inductees have what it takes to make IPR one of the best in the country and said it was time to change that part of our story telling to make IPR great.
Mr. Afadzinu stated “it is about time we start influencing our society through the institute to the extent that we translate and transform this Institute into the conscience of this country.
Mrs Adiki Ofeibea Ayitevie, an accredited member and the IPR Personality of the Year 2017, said many PR practitioners contributed to their individual organisations and not to the profession.
“However, to whom much is given, much is expected and therefore we must drive the success of IPR,” she said.
She said it is unfortunate that sometimes PR practitioners were not regarded as strategic, adding that, “We are very strategic and its our years of experience that has made us accredited members today”.
Mrs Ayitevie urged the accredited members to reciprocate the honour done them by IPR, adding that, they were not to sit in the comfort of their offices but were expected to contribute to the development of the Institute and draw more members into it.
The honorary Secretary of IPR Henry Nii Dottey called on the inductees you use every skill available to them to project PR practice. he informed them on work which has commenced on the PR industry bill with the Ministry of Information and asked members present to lend their support to the process when required.
Also Present at the ceremony were Maj. Albert Don-Chebe (Rtd) and Mrs. Vicky Wireko-Andoh both past presidents and members of the governing council of IPR, Ghana
Source: 3news.com with addition files from GNA