IPR calls on gov’t, CSOs et al to speak out on morality issues

IPR executives at the meeting[/caption] The Institute of Public Relations, Ghana (IPR) has called on government, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), religious bodies and all well-meaning Ghanaians to speak out on issues that have the potential of compromising morality in the country. The Institute at its National Conference and 25th Annual General Meeting held last week at the Windy Beach Resort in Winneba, among other things, resolved it is ready to facilitate a national dialogue on restoring national values. This is on the back of the Institute’s observation that “a certain culture of impunity, apathy and total disregard for established law and norms is creeping into our country; this unfortunately has now become the new culture”. According to IPR, Ghanaians have over the years been known far and wide as “disciplined, cultured and respectful individuals” and that it will not countenance the sudden degeneration of such values. While the Institute calls on all and sundry to brace themselves for a day for a national dialogue on values, it has also raised concerns about a mismatch in academia and industry, especially in the Public Relations fraternity. The institute noted that the 21st century public relations professional, like all others, must be balanced in theory and practice to discharge their roles effectively. The IPR has therefore hinted on an undergoing process of self-renewal by revisiting the curriculum of its own professional accreditation programme to make it abreast with international best practices. It added it will also collaborate and engage more meaningfully with training institutions to assist with curriculum issues that will provide mutually beneficial rewards for both the Institute and the training institutions. The National Conference and 25th Annual General Meeting of the IPR was on the  theme ‘Deriving Value from Values – A Test for Corporate Governance’ and it  considered several issues on communications,  Public Relations and national interest matters. The Institute specifically considered professional values, ethics and media transparency; corporate governance and the role of the practitioner; the professional development of the practitioner; building a vibrant community of professionals, curriculum issues in public relations; dwindling lack of respect for time honoured values and others. Attached is the full statement By P.D Wedam|3news.com|Ghana Follow @pdwedam]]>