PR for Good: Celebrating PR’s power to build trust and bridge divides

By Peter Martey Agbeko (Public Relations Practitioner, Editor, and PR Advocate) 

Every year on July 16, communicators across continents pause to celebrate World Public Relations Day, a moment to reflect on the role of Public Relations (PR) in shaping society. This year’s global theme, “Building Trust, Truth, and Transparency”, comes at a time when public confidence in institutions is being tested like never before.

As a Public Relations practitioner, teacher, and advocate, I am proud to mark this year’s celebration in my roles as Governing Council Member and Chair of the International Relations Committee of the Institute of Public Relations (IPR), Ghana; Member of the International Public Relations Association (IPRA); Member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA); and Managing Editor of The Catholic Standard, Ghana’s oldest surviving newspaper.

PR is more than media releases and corporate image management. It is a strategic force for truth-telling, consensus-building, and stakeholder engagement. In today’s hyper-connected, polarised world, PR professionals are at the frontline of efforts to build bridges, tackle misinformation, and foster credibility and transparency in both public and private institutions.

A Global Movement Rooted in History

World PR Day is celebrated on July 16 in honour of Ivy Lee, considered the father of modern public relations. Over a century ago, Ivy Lee championed the principles of openness and public accountability—values that remain central to the profession today.

This year, PR professionals worldwide are reaffirming their commitment to truth and integrity, recognising that sustainable trust is built not through spin, but through honest, consistent engagement.

Ghana Joins the Global Celebration

Under the leadership of Madam. Esther A. N. Cobbah, President of IPR, Ghana, the local celebration of World PR Day 2025 has taken on new significance. IPR Ghana has rolled out a month-long series of impactful activities to underscore the value of PR in our national development journey. These include:

• A webinar on “PR and Our Stakeholders – Bridging the Gap”
• An Executive Breakfast Meeting with top CEOs, ministers, and decision-makers
• Youth-focused outreach to communication and journalism students
• Community impact projects offering pro bono PR support to NGOs
• The inauguration of IPR’s Northern and Middle Belt chapters, demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity and national representation
• A national survey capturing the aspirations of young PR professionals
• Strategic partnerships with Ghana Health Service and the DVLA
• Media features, op-eds, and digital campaigns to raise public awareness

These efforts reflect IPR Ghana’s bold agenda to elevate the profession, build national capacity, and position PR as an enabler of good governance and socioeconomic transformation.

PR for Good – A Call to Purpose

The global PR community today must rise to the challenge of doing more than managing reputations. We are being called to lead conversations that matter, amplify the voices of the marginalised, and connect the dots between purpose and performance.

As practitioners, we must lead with integrity, listen with empathy, and act with purpose—whether advising governments, shaping corporate strategy, or working with communities.

In an era where trust deficits threaten to unravel democratic values and social cohesion, PR professionals can—and must—become catalysts for unity, understanding, and responsible communication.

A Personal Reflection

For me, World PR Day is not only a professional celebration, but also a personal moment of gratitude. Gratitude for the mentors, institutions, and platforms that have shaped my journey—and for the chance to contribute to a discipline that continues to evolve and inspire.

To my fellow PR professionals, students, and stakeholders across Ghana and beyond: Let us recommit to championing PR for good, every day. Let us use our voices to inform, our skills to engage, and our platforms to build trust in truth—one conversation at a time.

Happy World PR Day 2025!

#WorldPRDay #PRForGood #TrustTruthTransparency #IPRGhana #IPRA #PRSA #CatholicStandard #PeterMarteyAgbeko
www.iprghana.org

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