APRA 2020 Conference Host

The African Public Relations Association (APRA) wishes to inform its members and the general public that APRA 2020 Conference will no longer be hosted by Ghana as announced in Kigali, Rwanda earlier this year.

This decision was taken by the Institute of Public Relations (IPR) Ghana owing to grounds that 2020 is an election year in Ghana and therefore hosting APRA conference may not command the necessary attention it deserves especially from office holders in government. In addition, IPR will be welcoming new executives which was considered expedient to give them more time to settle in before hosting a conference of such magnitude.

President of APRA, Mr Yomi Badejo-Okusanya in his response, acknowledged the decision and recognized IPR’s Role in APRA resuscitation in the late 90’s and early 2000. He added that Ghana is one of the African countries changing the narratives following the host of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCTA) Secretariat which is scheduled to commence operations in July 2020.

In her response, President of IPR, Elaine Sam re-affirms the institute’s commitment to the ideals of APRA and promised to continue playing a significant role in its evolution and development. She further added that hosting APRA 2021 conference may be considered while APRA looks further to a host for APRA 2020 conference.

Both parties agreed to issue a joint communique while planning for the conference continues. The conference dates – May 11-15, 2020 still holds but a new host country and association will be announced soonest.

APRA and IPR sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this change may cause but are working to ensure that APRA 2020 conference does not go below standard but promises to be better.

Signed
Jane Gitau
Secretary General, APRA