Ghana to host FAPRA Conference

Accra, Feb. 14, GNA - Ghana is to host the 21st conference of the Federation of African Public Relations Associations (FAPRA) from April 28 to May 2, 2008 at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Kumasi. The five-day conference, themed: "Corporate Social responsibility-Global Trends and Public Relations Implications", will be hosted by the Institute of Public Relations Ghana (IPR-G), in collaboration with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Information and Diasporan Relations.

In an interview with the media, Mr. J. Allotey-Pappoe, President of FAPRA explained that, "the objective of the conference is to provide a platform for an elaborate clarification of the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility, as related to Corporate Social Investment, from a Global Perspective".

He pointed out that, the conference would also afford African Public Relations practitioners and Social Partners the opportunity to examine and critically evaluate professional public relations implications of corporate investment. Furthermore, "the conference would equip participants with modern tools and techniques in public relations, as well as forge a common position on the role of PR practitioners in dealing with Corporate Social Investment", Mr Allotey-Pappoe emphasized. A conference outline released in Accra by IPR-G, indicates that the theme has two segments - Corporate Social Responsibility and Corporate Social Investment - with sub themes, covering such areas as Global Trends in Corporate Investment and Social Practices, Case Studies in Africa, Public relations Implications as well as Modern Communication tools and Technologies.

Giving a broader outline of the Conference, Mr Kojo Yankah, President of IPR-Ghana, said the two segments under the main theme would deal with issues related to socio-economic and moral responsibilities of companies, compliance with requirements of business and professional practices, and societal problems related to Health, Education, Housing, Job Creation, among others.

Mr Yankah hinted that former United Nations Secretary-General, Musumura Kofi Annan has been invited to deliver the key-note address, with submission of major dissertations coming from the World Bank, United Nations, African Development Bank, ECOWAS, Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the African Union (AU). On participation, he said, aside FAPRA members and various Public Relations Associations, there will be representation from Journalists Associations, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and a number of corporate bodies like MTN, Banks, Oil and Mining Companies, Civil Society Organizations as well as Marketing and Advertising Companies. Mr Yankah said to facilitate preparations to ensure a successful conference, a Planning and Organizing Committee has been put in place with seven sub-committees to deal with and execute all aspects related to the event. He enumerated the sub-committees as Hospitality, Transport, Fund Raising and Sponsorship, Accreditation, Publicity, Conference Secretariat and the Kumasi (conference venue) liaison and coordination sub-committee. "I can say with all certainty and assurance that both FAPRA and IPR-Ghana, have put all the necessary mechanisms in place towards the successful organization of the conference and everything is on course", Mr Yankah emphasized. The last FAPRA conference was held in Kampala, Uganda, under the theme: "Africa's Diversity - Communicating the Opportunities", which was well-attended by representatives of all stakeholders and widely acclaimed as highly successful and relevant to the socio-economic development of the continent.