Tell World About Ghana's Success Story - Vice Prez

Mr Yankah (left) IPR President, presents certificate to Vice-Prez Mahama

Ghana's Vice-president is challenging the country's mass media to tell the world what Ghana was worth, pointing out that in an increasingly competitive environment, being able to tell one's story was essential for recognition.

Public Relations practitioners must use their professional skills in communication to drum Ghana's success story of sustained increases in economic growth, unlimited freedom of speech and association and respect for human rights, the Vice-President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, has advised.

“You ought to make our brand of democracy and the other achievements an export commodity for peace and stability throughout the underdeveloped world,” he added.

The Vice-President made the call at a dinner dance at the instance of the Institute of Public Relations (IPR) in Accra at the weekend, an occasion which was also used to honour 10 personalities, including Alhaji Mahama, for their contribution to the growth of the association.

“Maybe our problem is pessimism. Sometimes one gets the feeling that expecting the worst to happen is a national pastime. It is time we turned on the optimism and put our best foot forward,” Alhaji Mahama said.

He said millions of Africans in the Diaspora would have loved to re-connect with their roots if they were sufficiently excited to do so.

On the country's tourism potential, Alhaji Mahama said the country had a lot to tell the world, adding that although Ghana could not boast best beaches, “we are probably the only place in the world with an almost intact infrastructure of the slave trade”.

He said one only heard of public relations officers when there was a problem and asked the practitioners not to be reactive only but proactive in the discharge of their duties.

The Managing Director of UBA Ghana Limited, Mr Nnamdi Okonkwo, urged all Ghanaians to individually play their part to ensure that the success stories of the country so far were protected.

He said Ghana was disposed to be an emerging market because it had all the qualities such as political stability, economic stability, size of local market, cost of labour, transparency and a legal framework that made it the envy of many across the world.

“For foreign investors, or businesses in developed economies, an emerging market economy provides an outlet for expansion by serving, for instance, as avenues for new investments, base for manufacturing activities or as new sources for revenue generation,” Mr Okonkwo added.

The President of IPR, Mr Kojo Yankah, asked PR practitioners not be complacent with diplomas and degrees, stressing that an association is only worthy when it provides opportunities for its members to upgrade themselves intellectually.

Story by Charles Benoni Okine