Ghana is set to make history as it hosts the 2025 International Public Relations Association (IPRA) Conference under the auspices of President John Dramani Mahama, who is a Fellow of both the Institute of Public Relations (IPR), Ghana, and the African Public Relations Association (APRA).

Both the conference and the IPRA Golden World Awards (GWA) Gala are taking place in Ghana for the very first time.

Organised in partnership with IPR Ghana and APRA, this landmark event will convene global communication leaders, award-winning agencies, policymakers, and top PR professionals in Accra for an exceptional knowledge-sharing experience on the continent.

Themed “Global Realities and Innovative Communications,” the conference will be held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Conference Facility on Friday, 3rd October 2025, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (GMT). It will feature two high-level sessions focused on shaping the future of public relations and strategic communication.

The two main sessions will cover:

• Public Relations (PR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Communication, Sustainability, and Climate Change

A panel of global experts will examine the responsible and ethical integration of AI into the communications landscape, with particular attention to Africa’s digital future.

Other speakers will address the devastating impact of illegal small-scale mining (galamsey) in Africa. Panellists from across the region will share insights on climate communication, behaviour change, and sustainability strategies.

The conference will be highlighted by a keynote address from President John Dramani Mahama, as well as speeches and presentations from Esther A.N. Cobbah, President of IPR Ghana; Arik Karani, President of APRA; and Nataša Pavlović Bujas, President of IPRA.

International thought leaders in AI, sustainability, and strategic communications will also contribute their perspectives.

The conference will be followed by the prestigious IPRA Golden World Awards (GWA) Gala at the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel on the same day at 7:15 p.m. (GMT), celebrating the most impactful PR campaigns worldwide. The gala is being held with the support of Strategic Communications Africa Ltd. (Stratcomm Africa), with Mövenpick as the partner hotel and Emirates as the partner airline.

This year’s gala holds special significance as it marks the 70th anniversary of IPRA and the official inauguration of its 2026 President.

Nataša Pavlović Bujas, President of IPRA, remarked:
"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, President of IPR Ghana, added:
"This landmark gathering reinforces Ghana's growing influence in global communications and affirms IPR Ghana’s commitment to fostering excellence, innovation, and international collaboration."

The Ghanaian public, media, academia, and communication professionals—both local and international—have been invited to take part in this extraordinary celebration of strategic communication and global dialogue.