Staff Reporter
A NAMIBIAN delegation comprising public relations professionals from various Offices, Ministries and Agencies (OMAs) is representing the country at the Public Relations Knowledge-Sharing Conference held in Accra, Ghana.
Themed “Global Realities and Innovative Communication,” the conference brings together communication experts from across Africa and beyond to explore emerging trends, with a special focus this year on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in public relations.
Delivering the keynote address, Ghana’s Minister for Government Communications, Hon. Felix Kwakye-Ofosu, highlighted the crucial role of professional communicators in driving development outcomes.
Photos: Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation-Namibia
“We need professional communicators with innovative mindsets to help deploy effective and transformative development programmes,” he said.
Namibia was given a platform to present on “The Transformation of the PR Landscape in Namibia.” Ms. Bertha Amakali, Director of Information and Public Diplomacy in the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, led the Namibian delegation and delivered a presentation outlining the evolution of public relations in Namibia—from its pre-independence use as a tool of control to its modern-day role as a strategic, professional discipline focused on transparency, engagement, and accountability.
Amakali emphasised that Namibia’s PR transformation is anchored in key legal frameworks such as Article 21 of the Namibian Constitution, which guarantees freedom of speech, as well as the Communications Act of 2009 and the Access to Information Act of 2022.
“These instruments have elevated communication from a discretionary function to a legally guided process that ensures accountability, empowers citizens, and strengthens democratic governance,” she added.
She added that the conference’s focus on AI comes at a pivotal time for the continent.
“Africa stands at a crossroads where communication is no longer just about messages, but about intelligence, speed, and trust in a digital-first world,” Amakali said. “We must act now to ensure AI in communication reflects our voices, serves our people, and drives our shared development.”
The three-day conference is jointly organised 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). It aims to foster collaboration, expand professional networks, and shape innovative approaches to communication across Africa.
