Namibia Highlights PR Transformation at Knowledge-Sharing Conference in Ghana

Namibia Highlights PR Transformation at Knowledge-Sharing Conference in GGhana. A Namibian delegation of public relations professionals from various Offices, Ministries, and Agencies (OMAs) took centre stage at the 2025 Public Relations Knowledge-Sharing Conference in Accra, Ghana. The conference, held from 1st to 3rd October, focused on the theme “Global Realities and Innovative Communication” and brought together PR experts from across Africa and beyond.

Hon. Felix Kwakye-Ofosu, Ghana’s Minister for Government Communications and keynote speaker, emphasized the crucial role of professional communicators in shaping development outcomes. He noted the need for innovative PR strategies to support the deployment of impactful development programmes across the continent.

Namibia’s contribution, led by Ms. Bertha Amakali, Director of Information and Public Diplomacy at the Ministry of International Relations and Trade, focused on “The Transformation of the PR Landscape in Namibia.” Amakali traced the evolution of PR in the country—from a tool of corporate and state control in the pre-independence era to its current status as a professional and strategic function that builds relationships, ensures accountability, and engages diverse stakeholders.

She highlighted the legal frameworks underpinning this transformation, including freedom of speech under Chapter 3, Article 21 of the Namibian Constitution, the Communications Act of 2009, and the Access to Information Act of 2022. According to Amakali, these instruments have elevated PR from a discretionary activity to a legally guided process, empowering citizens and strengthening democratic governance.

The conference also explored the role of Artificial Intelligence in PR, emphasizing the importance of speed, intelligence, and trust in communication in a digital-first world. Amakali stressed that Africa must proactively define the use of AI in communication to serve its people and drive development.

Organized by the Institute of Public Relations Ghana (IPR), African Public Relations Association (APRA), International Public Relations Association (IPRA), and the Public Relations Society of Kenya (PRSK), the three-day event provided a platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and shaping innovative perspectives in public relations across the continent.