Election 2024: IPR Ghana calls on Ghanaians to “speak truth for peace”

Esther A N Cobbah, The President of IPR Ghana

The Institute of Public Relations (IPR) Ghana is launching a five-week pre-election campaign today, aimed at fostering peaceful elections in Ghana this year.

The campaign, titled "Speak Truth for Peace," calls on all Ghanaians—especially political communicators—to uphold ethics in their political messaging. Aligned with the Institute’s 50th-anniversary theme, “Public Relations for Value Creation,” this year's focus is on “Ethical Communication for Peace Building in an Election Year.”

Earlier this year, the IPR conducted a successful training on ethical communication for political party communicators in Ghana. Many participants expressed a newfound understanding of the Public Relations profession and the critical role of ethics in communication. They committed to applying this knowledge in ways that benefit themselves, their political parties, and the country as a whole.

These initiatives reflect the Institute’s commitment to helping the public recognize the value that Public Relations brings to society and to fostering positive relationships within communities and beyond.

IPR Ghana President Esther A. N. Cobbah highlighted the campaign’s importance, noting, “People can be influenced to act destructively when misled by falsehoods. It is crucial, especially for political communicators, to embrace their responsibility to promote truth for the welfare of society."

“In an election year, everyone wants to advocate for their parties and candidates,” she added. “However, if respect for truth is lost, our entire social structure is at risk. Democracy itself is jeopardized when truth is disregarded in political discourse.”

Source: The Institute of Public Relations, Ghana (IPR, Ghana)