Ghana to host landmark 2025 IPRA conference and Golden World Awards for the first time
Ghana is poised to make significant strides in the global public relations landscape by hosting the 2025 International Public Relations Association (IPRA) Conference and the IPRA Golden World Awards (GWA) Gala for the first time. Spearheaded by President John Dramani Mahama, a prominent figure in both the Institute of Public Relations (IPR) Ghana and the African Public Relations Association (APRA), this event marks an exciting chapter for Ghana in international communications.
Set to unfold on 3rd October 2025 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Conference Facility in Accra, the conference is themed "Global Realities and Innovative Communications." It promises to be an intellectual showcase, uniting global leaders in public relations, award-winning agencies, and policymakers. Highlights are anticipated from high-profile sessions focusing on critical issues, including the integration of artificial intelligence in public relations and strategies addressing sustainability and climate change. Experts will delve into the ethical implications of AI within the African context, particularly regarding the region's digital evolution. Meanwhile, discussions will also tackle the urgent concerns surrounding illegal small-scale mining, or galamsey, which has posed severe threats to sustainable practices and environmental integrity in many African nations.
The event's prime speakers include notable figures like Esther A.N. Cobbah, President of IPR Ghana; Arik Karani, President of APRA; and Nataša Pavlović Bujas, the current President of IPRA. Each will share crucial insights into the future directions of public relations, strategic communications, and regional challenges. President Mahama will deliver a keynote address, underscoring the significance of communications in development and governance.
Following the conference, the prestigious IPRA Golden World Awards Gala will commence at the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel, celebrating the best and most impactful public relations campaigns from around the globe. The gala, set for the evening of the same day, will also commemorate a notable milestone—the 70th anniversary of IPRA. Tickets for the gala are available, priced at £250 each or £2,250 for a table of ten, underscoring the event’s exclusivity and importance within the public relations community.
Nataša Pavlović Bujas expressed excitement about the upcoming events, stating, "IPRA is 70, and we are delighted that over these seven decades, we have continued to bring together PR professionals from around the world. This year, we are thrilled to be in Ghana and to celebrate this milestone with our Ghanaian colleagues." Esther A.N. Cobbah echoed this sentiment, emphasising the event's role in affirming Ghana's increasing influence in global communications and its commitment to fostering excellence and innovation.
In conjunction with these events, IPR Ghana, APRA, and IPRA have been collaborating closely with various stakeholders, including Ghana's Minister of Foreign Affairs, to ensure the success of this conference. This partnership highlights the collective effort to elevate public relations standards across the continent and fosters vital discussions on the strategic role of communications in national development.
The Ghanaian public, alongside international participants from media, academia, and communications sectors, have been invited to join in this unique celebration of knowledge, collaboration, and recognition of excellence in public relations. The collaborative nature of this event foreshadows an exciting future for public relations in Africa, solidifying Ghana's burgeoning role as a hub for global dialogue in this essential field.