At the 36th Annual Conference of the African Public Relations Association (APRA 2025), Ghanaian communications strategist Kobi Hemaa Osisiadan-Bekoe delivered a stirring address on the vital role of public relations in protecting democratic values in the face of rising digital misinformation across Africa.
Speaking during a high-level plenary session themed “Digital Subversion in the Age of Democracy,” Kobi Hemaa presented on the topic “Combating Misinformation: The PR Practitioner’s Role in Safeguarding Democratic Narratives.” She emphasized the need for communicators to go beyond traditional roles and embrace their evolving identity as “architects of trust” in today’s information-saturated environment.
> “Our job is to bring structure, strategy, and sense to the chaos,” she declared. “We are the guardians of public trust.”
During her presentation, Kobi Hemaa unveiled a practical communication model she calls G.R.A.C.E., a five-pronged framework aimed at equipping PR professionals to combat misinformation and reinforce democratic narratives:
G – Guardians of Truth
R – Resilience in the Face of Misinformation
A – Active Learning and Continuous Development
C – Collaboration Across Borders and Platforms
E – Engagement Using the Same Digital Tools Used to Distort Truth
Her delivery received wide acclaim for its clarity, relevance, and actionable insights, striking a chord with delegates navigating the increasingly complex communication landscape across the continent.
The session was moderated by Dr. Ike Neliaku, President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, and featured contributions from a dynamic panel including Chris Wangalwa, MPRSK (Kenya), Lamara Garba (Nigeria), and Dr. Oluwatosin Adesile (Nigeria).
Ghana’s delegation made a strong impression throughout the conference. Esther Cobbah, President of IPR Ghana and CEO of Stratcomm Africa, delivered a powerful message on breaking professional barriers. She urged women in PR to “do more with no excuses,” sharing stories of perseverance and purpose that deeply resonated with attendees.
Also contributing to Ghana’s voice at the event was Gladys Asare Danquah, who presented on the power of storytelling in reframing Africa’s image. She encouraged PR professionals to reclaim the continent’s narrative through culturally grounded stories that reflect its true identity and aspirations.
The conference, held under the theme “One Africa, One Voice: 50 Years of African PR Excellence,” brought together over 500 communication professionals, policymakers, academics, and media leaders from across Africa and the diaspora. It provided a critical platform to reflect on the progress of public relations on the continent while charting a forward-looking vision shaped by integrity, collaboration, and innovation.
As the conference drew to a close, it was announced that APRA 2026 will be hosted in Nigeria, sparking anticipation for continued dialogue and collaboration in strengthening ethical communication as a pillar of Africa’s democratic and development agenda.
