IPR: No organisation or company can perform without PR

Major Albert Don Achebe, IPR President, addressing the gathering

The President of the  Institute of Public   Relations (IPR), Major Albert Don-Chebe (Rtd), has observed that there is an increasing recognition that no organization or company can perform effectively without a Public Relations (PR) or communications unit.

He made the assertion at a dinner dance to run-off a week-long of activities marking the annual IPR Week in Accra, over the weekend. Mr. Don-Chebe added that: 'Quick to detect the trend, most respectable tertiary institutions are scrambling to establish Communications Departments to feed this hunger.

While rubbing our hands with glee at these developments, IPR is also re-organising to be prepared to polish the rough practitioners who will graduate from these tertiary institutions.'

The outspoken IPR President noted that a combination of democracy, free speech and a booming economy has created the most fertile conditions for the blossoming of PR and Communications Management in the country, stressing that 'IPR is happy with the present positive upturn in the fortunes of PR'.

Mr. Don-Chebe, who is also the Head of Corporate Communications at the Millennium Development Authority (MiDA) Ghana, however, warned PR practitioners and the 25 newly sworn  members that: 'Whatever value or worth is placed on you, and whatever status or position you attain, is directly attributable to your professionalism and performance in the field'.

As he put it 'Be always prepared and arm yourselves with appropriate knowledge and relevant skills crucial for the execution of your job'.

Remember that the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of today are very intelligent, multi-skilled and hard task masters. They have a fairly sound grasp of the key fundamentals of the key management functions, including PR that are expected to support them lead their organizations successfully, the Retired Major added.

He advised them to broaden their horizon, saying 'If you are shallow and always talk without action, they will expose you in no time, and you will be damaged beyond repair. Plan for the future and approach every challenge as heaven-sent opportunity'.

Mr. Don-Chebe reminded PR practitioners that every job or task they perform reveal their professional depth and will leave either a positive or negative impression on their superiors, peers and subordinates.

Touching on the institute, he revealed that IPR would be 40 years next year, and they should not allow 2012 to pass without celebrating this milestone in a special way. Mr. Don-Chebe, therefore, appealed to members of the Institute of Public Relations to volunteer their expertise and skills to help organize the anniversary well.

25 PR practitioners, made up of 11 Accredited Public Relations (APR) and 14 Associates were sworn in by the IPR President, while certificates of sponsorship of the IPR Week were presented to The Chronicle and others.