Esther Cobbah: Daring to lead Global PR

By: Peter Martey Agbeko, APR

She was born in the coastal town of Sekondi, nurtured in Sekondi and  Komenda, sharpened at Mmofraturo Girls Boarding School,  Wesley Girls’ High School, introduced to the communication profession at the University of Ghana , Legon and polished at the world-class Cornell University in the United States.

Today, Esther Amba Numaba Cobbah stands as a global icon in public relations and communications—a woman whose journey from Ghana’s shores to the highest rung of global PR leadership is as inspiring as it is instructive. On

the evening of October 3, 2025, Esther became the President of the International Public Relations Association (IPRA), the world’s most influential professional association for PR practitioners starting January 2026.

Headquartered in London, IPRA brings together communicators from more than 80 countries, shaping the ethical and strategic standards of the field worldwide. Esther’s election is historic—not only is she the first Ghanaian, but also the first West African to ascend to this role in IPRA’s 70-year history.

Yet, for those who know her, this milestone is no surprise. Esther has been preparing for this role her entire life—not deliberately, perhaps, but by the consistency of her values, the depth of her expertise, and the sheer force of her purpose.

As Founder and CEO of Strategic Communications Africa Ltd (Stratcomm Africa), Esther has built a reputation management powerhouse. Since its establishment over three decades ago, Stratcomm Africa has worked with hundreds of clients across sectors—government, private, civil society, international development agencies—and across borders. But it is not just the scale of the work that matters.

It’s the spirit behind it. Esther has always believed that communication, when done with integrity and excellence, can change lives. “Communication is not about telling; it’s about, empathy, connecting and promoting understanding and fueling development,” she often says.

That philosophy pulses through her critically acclaimed book, Dare to Be. It’s more than a memoir—it’s a manifesto for authenticity, courage, and leadership. Through personal stories and professional reflections, Esther invites readers to listen, to be still, and then to rise.

Esther’s leadership is not limited to strategy rooms or boardrooms. She has brought communication to the heart of development—working with rural communities, shaping public health campaigns, and advancing environmental awareness. In 2016, Stratcomm Africa was awarded the IPRA United Nations Award for PR and Sustainable Development, recognising its work helping to make banking accessible to women in Ghana. The campaign didn’t just win awards—it changed mindsets and empowered lives. At the 2025  Golden World Awards Gala, held here in Ghana at the Movenpick Hotel, Stratcomm Africa won  four awards, including one of the two topmost awards for PR Excellence.

Indeed, for Esther, communication is more than a tool. It’s a calling.

Our professional paths intersected years ago when she asked me to endorse her candidacy for a seat on the IPRA Board. I was then, as now, a paid-up member of IPRA. I did so without hesitation.

Since then, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with her—first as fellow judges on the IPRA Golden World Awards (GWA), then as colleagues on the Governing Council of the Institute of Public Relations (IPR), Ghana, where she serves as President and I chair the International Relations Committee.

Esther’s work on the IPRA Governing Board and the GWA judging panel has significantly influenced the evolution of ethical, impactful communication on a global scale. Her insight, decisiveness, and depth of understanding are unmatched. She doesn’t just evaluate campaigns—she elevates the standards.

In Ghana, her influence is equally profound. Through Stratcomm Africa, she has mentored dozens of young communicators, many of whom now occupy senior roles in agencies, ministries, and multilateral organisations within and outside Africa.

Her company recently marked 31 years of existence, and to celebrate, the Stratcomm family hosted the much-anticipated Homecoming event on May 16, 2025. It was a celebration of impact, of legacy, and of one woman’s unwavering commitment to professional excellence.

Stratcomm Africa has always been more than a company—it is a movement, a school, a family. From designing behaviour change campaigns for rural communities to producing visually compelling multimedia content for global audiences, Stratcomm Africa operates at the cutting edge of both strategy and storytelling.

What sets Esther apart, though, is her deep humanity. Her strength is quiet. Her leadership is graceful. She listens. She reflects. She moves with purpose. She mentors without making a show of it. She empowers by example. Despite her towering global achievements, she remains profoundly grounded in her Christian faith, her family, and her roots.

She is married to one of Ghana’s most respected legal minds, Tsatsu Tsikata, and together they represent a formidable union of intellect and conviction. Yet, Esther is not defined by her relationships. She stands tall in her own light.

Over the years, she has received some of the highest accolades in Ghana’s communications and marketing ecosystem: CIMG Marketing Woman of the Year, IPR PR Personality of the Year, Outstanding Woman of the Year, among others. These aren’t just awards; they are acknowledgements of impact.

Internationally, she continues to be called upon to share her experience, whether as a keynote speaker at global forums or as an advisor on strategic communication projects for development. She is a trusted voice, especially on the African continent, where narratives are too often shaped from the outside in. Esther insists that Africa must tell its own stories—not with defensiveness, but with clarity, confidence, and dignity.

Her presidency of IPRA couldn’t have come at a more pivotal time. The world is grappling with disinformation, polarisation, climate emergencies, and complex geopolitical shifts. In such times, the role of ethical, empathetic communication becomes even more critical.

Esther brings to this challenge not only experience but also moral clarity.

IPRA, under her leadership, will likely deepen its focus on ethics, inclusion, and development communication. She has already expressed a desire to increase the participation of PR professionals from the Global South, especially women, in shaping global standards and conversations. She sees IPRA as a dynamic platform for shared learning, ethical practice, and cross-cultural collaboration.

Esther Cobbah’s story is not just one of personal triumph. It is a symbol of what is possible when talent meets preparation, when vision meets values, and when a woman decides not to shrink but to shine.

In a world increasingly shaped by narratives, it matters who tells the story. With Esther at the helm of global PR, the world is more likely to hear Africa’s voice—strong, smart, soulful, and sincere.

As I reflect on the journey we’ve shared professionally—and the journey she continues to chart for herself and for all of us—I am filled with admiration and gratitude. Esther is not just staying the course. She is setting it.

May her light continue to shine—and may many more dare to follow

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