6 Lessons Women in PR Ghana Summit 2018 Taught Me

Women in PR Ghana Summit 2018 may have been over but not without me picking up a few lessons. This year’s event was a success. Yes, I’m glad to say that because we had a room full of amazing PR professionals at different levels of their career path and Students . It was inspiring and empowering as we had worked and researched well to have seasoned Speakers and Panel of our time who were willing to share and impart knowledge to us.

Here are few lessons I learnt along the way:

God will plant the right people your way

This year has been one of a kind. From getting our main guest Speaker Thabisile Phumo who accepted our invitation and fully sponsored her trip to Ghana. God made sure we found favor at most important places.  Afia Drah (PR Head at Trust Hospital) spoke to me about inviting her for this year’s event even when we had no sponsorship for her flight and accommodation. I put my name (Faith) to work and said okay and sent the invitation. How we got the rest of the Speakers and Panelists, I can only say, God makes a way always.

People will support your dreams if you first believe in it

Few years back when I thought of starting Women in PR Ghana, I engaged a few people to seek their counsel before starting out. I have been blessed with so many people along the way who sincerely wanted to see this grow. Even though I knew what I wanted to do with it, I wasn’t fully clear how I was going to achieve that. Engaging the right people got me to make those moves that has brought WiPR Ghana where it is today. I haven’t stopped because every now and then, I am blessed with people who encourage me, advise and support me and some who have identified with it and join in to build this brand.

Not everyone will actually buy into your idea

Starting out, I was certain this was a great idea because it was a women related event. You know how we say women empowerment and we presume everything along that will fall into place. That wasn’t the case. In several instances, we identified companies and individuals we knew in one way or the other will benefit from this unique platform but unfortunately, I heard several No! It's not everyone who thinks Women in PR Ghana will be useful to them today or tomorrow. In fact, its not there to serve everyone. I had to learn to accept the No answers because its not everyone who will buy into your idea. It’s normal!

Don't Worry 

A lot of times, I find myself troubled because of the No's and when things aren't taking shape as I hope for. This phrase I often hear from Paulina Kuranchie. Anytime I fret over an issue or a challenge, she constantly reminds me not to worry as things will work out well. Her very words “Faith, don’t worry, things will work out and you will see”. I find such words a lot of times timely because I mostly worry about things that are beyond me. Eventually, we get past it and move on. In God's time, things always fall in place so don't worry as this too shall pass.

People will wait to see it grow first

You know how you start something and people are not sure so they don’t want to be associated with it because it may affect their image or brand. Yes! That’s how I feel sometimes when I speak about WiPR to others. They are not sure and so wouldn’t want to sponsor or accept to speak. I’m sure by the time we hit the third, fourth or fifth event and standing strong, we won’t struggle to get people and companies to be on board.  

Your true friends support you first

One of the amazing experiences I have had especially starting out Women in PR Ghana was the encouragement and support I have had from people I am proud to call friends. They wouldn’t just attend the event to support, but personally contribute to make each year’s event a success. As we decided to make this 2^nd year’s event a FREE to Attend, and with little sponsorship coming from Corporate Organization, financial contributions from friends and some WiPR were very helpful to take care of the cost of the venue (partly sponsored by the hotel) snacks, planning and execution (Setup, Media, Brand and Printing materials, transportation etc)

Lastly, Women in PR Ghana has had great support from Day 1. To Sadat, Bridget, Paulina, Afia, Nana Glover, Millicent, Nana Mensah, Gameli were there through it holding the event down till e Etornam and Yvonne were keenly in charge of the social Media pages while Benedicta handled the Registrations and Judith handled the Guests. Also, with support from Excelsis and Vibelens for the videos, Presentation Plus for all the Screens and Event support Service, we did again pull off another remarkable event. And to my girlfriends Kate, Getty, Klenam and Yayra who aren't into PR but have attended both events and have been extremely supportive from the very start, I say i'm thankful.

I’m humbled by these lessons and support while I look forward to the next activities we will embark on in the course of the year.  I’m open to suggestions your on how we can move this community to greater heights.

The vision for Women in PR Ghana is big and I’m certain we will achieve it together.

Photo Credit by my very supportive Enoch (Faithfulspirit Photography) and Daniel (Sniper Studios).


Faith Senam Ocloo 
Fashion Public Relations
Fashion I Beauty I Lifestyle I Arts

Re-living Women in PR Ghana Seminar 2017

Speakers and Panelists -Women in PR Seminar 2017

On the eve of 1^st July, 2017, I felt a deep joy in my heart, not just because we have been able to pull off an event for the first time but to see something that has been on my mind for many years come to pass.

Right from this day in 2015 when I blogged this first post featuring Millicent Baku, PR at WAEC, the event idea started. Few years down the line, Women in PR Ghana Seminar officially launched.

It started sometime in 2012 when I joined a Facebook closed group page called Women in PR created by Ange Collins where she spear heads a Women in PR Summit as well as followed her blog and social media pages. I became a fan of all those activities and wanted so badly to see same happening here in Ghana.As they said, there is no original idea on this earth, the idea to have a women in public relations event was born out similar thing being done in US and Canada.

I had always wondered and wandered; why wasn’t such events or organizations in Ghana. Five years down the line, this has become a reality. Then I knew it was close to impossible to organize it because I was a recent graduate, I barely knew anyone in the PR industry talk less of holding a women in PR Seminar.

On Saturday 1^st July 2017, with the support of a great team and friends and people I call angels, we were able to pull off the maiden edition. In as much as I had very high expectations in terms of attendance because it was a niche event and companies were going to embrace it, it was a hard knack to crack. 

It was the first time so yes, doors slammed at us, people said No, heard the “I am Sorry words”, people changed their minds, people turned their backs, and the last nightmare was knowing one of leading speakers wouldn’t show up.

With a first event of close of 80 attendees, we could only be grateful. We had the likes of the President of IPR Ghana Madam Elaine Sam, Dr. Koryoe Anim-Wright President of African University College of Communications, Gifty Bingley Head of Corporate Affairs, Tigo Ghana and Cynthia E. Ofori-Dwumfuo (PR Business Leader, Ogilvy & Mather Ghana) all as speakers.

And had a panel discussion moderated by Akosua Ogyiri Kwafo (Communications Professional, Stratcomm Africa) will have panelists to include Joyce Ahiadorme (Sustainability and Community Affairs Manager, Voltic Ghana), Paulina Kuranchie (Head of PR Department, Ghana Institute of Journalism), Afia Drah (Head of Public Relations, Trust Hospital) and Fati Shaibu (News Editor, e.TV Ghana).

I am confident of how far this event will go to affect the practice of Public Relations in Ghana, build a great community of professionals and serve as a resource platform for many of us.

I know I have made my appreciation post on Facebook already but I will still want to thank everyone who believed in this idea and has not stopped supporting us to keep the flame alive.

We are already thinking about the next edition. Feel free to share your ideas on how we can improve and become better.

See you at the 2018 edition.

Cheers

Speaking to the IPR President and AUCC President before the start of the event

Photocredit: Shotbyese & Faithful Spirit

Faith Senam Ocloo 
Fashion Public Relations 
Fashion I Beauty I Lifestyle I Arts

Living It: Spotlight on PR Woman Delali Diana Amaglo

Name: Delali Diana Amaglo
Company/Position: Sunon Asogli Power Ghana Limited/Public Relations Officer

Describe your job in one sentence. 
It is challenging, fun, and most of all an eye opener every step of the way. 

How did you get into Public Relations; how long have you been in PR? 
I’ve been in PR steadily for almost two years. But I’ve also been in communication for the most part of my life without concentrating on a specific aspect. I finally decided to focus on PR because it is first of all an area of interest to me. Then I also realized how essential it is increasingly becoming to the survival of individuals and corporate bodies as a whole. So when I felt like a ‘’square peg in a round hole’’ in all the other fields and employments I’d been in, it dawned on me that it was time to do what I love to do best – Public Relations.

What is your interest/specialization in PR? 
I am usually interested in the Issues and Crisis Management part of PR. But my specialization will be in Strategic Communication and Negotiation. For now, I’m an all-rounder. 

What is a regular day for you as a PR Person? 
Every day comes with its own pressure. Sometimes, there is a lot of desk work to do. Other times, I’m out and about. There are usually unforeseen interjectory schedules but generally, I have a full plate. Busy you call it?

How do you think PR can help change how brands are perceived? 
I think no matter how well a brand is established or relatively quiet, if a brand decides to stay without any effective public relations effort,  it will take the public a longer time to understand the relevance of the brand to society. Therefore, a brand needs to be strategically propagated by a skillful PR person in order to gain the needed recognition. That notwithstanding, a brand could stay in obscurity or be known but not for its real reasons. Hence to gain the required understanding and long-term acceptance, the brand will need a creative and analytical thinker to prepare and convince the public to garner the necessary positive perception of whatever brand image it intends to put in the public domain.

What kinds of challenges do you face in your Public Relations career choice? 
Before I answer this I need to state that, Sunon Asogli Power Ghana Limited is a 100% Chinese owned company. It is also important to mention that China is a Communist Nation and this makes them very conservative across all spheres. In effect, the role I play is essential in bridging the communication gap between the conservative Chinese workforce I find myself with, their culture, work ethics and policies and the “extremely liberal” Ghanaian culture and work ethics.   The biggest challenge however is learning to understand the Chinese way of working and getting the Chinese to understand the acceptable way of working especially when it comes to PR and communication in Ghana. All other related issues usually take me through different phases of emotions - psychological and intellectual- but I eventually settle in. 

As a PR Professional, what can’t live without……?
I really can’t do without my phone, information (internal and external) and access to the internet. There is little information one can get access to without the internet.  And since PR thrives on information, it is only prudent to have a device that can afford you such convenience always. Besides, the internet is essential for the transmission of whatever information my attention is drawn to, in sending or receiving. It is therefore crucial to have these three. 

Do you feel pressured to dress well for the job? 
Pressured? No. Am i conscious of my appearance? Certainly! It is the number one thing for me. As a lady and a PR practitioner, my appearance speaks volumes.  It determines the level of attention I’m accorded at a first glance and the physical impression i leave on the minds of the people I encounter on the job as the face and representative of my company. Hence, there is no room for shabby dressing even if I’m not on official duty. Every day and place is a working environment for me as a PR practitioner, so i need to unapologetically look the part.

Any advice to young ladies especially African women who may want pursue a career in PR or any communications related field? 
Young ladies should disillusion themselves from the myth that PR is a walk over and anyone who speaks eloquently can be a PR practitioner. Again, PR is not a platform for lies and popularity contest. There is more to it than all that. It takes love, passion, selflessness, wisdom, a high sense of composure and professionalism to make a good PR practitioner. In effect, they should not try to take up a career in PR just to fill a void.

This is a series of interviews for Women in PR in Ghana (#WIPRgh). Its purpose is to bring the spotlight on such women and also serve as a resource for students in PR.

Faith Senam Ocloo
CEO

E’April Public Relations

Follow me on twitter @eaprilPR and @faithsenam

Living It: Spotlight on PR Woman Millicent Baku

Name:    Millicent Baku

Position/Company:    Public Affairs Officer/West Africa Examinations Council(WAEC)



Describe your job in one sentence: My job as a Public Affairs Officer and Head of Protocol at the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Headquarters is a very challenging but also a very fulfilling role.

How did you get into Public Relations; how long have you been in PR? I did not set out to be in communication or public relations to be specific. I always knew I was good with words and for me that meant I needed to be a lawyer. After secondary education, I applied to Legon to do law but my application was late so instead of staying home for a year doing nothing, my father decided that I should enroll in a communication school. I listened to him and I loved the school and the course so much that I have no regrets in my choice. I am now in my 8^th year of working in Public Relations.

What is your interest/specialization in PR? I like public relations as a whole because I am good with people and I like seeing problems as challenges but the aspect of PR I find very fascinating is Persuasive Communication.

What is a regular day for you as a PR Person? Hmmm a regular day for me differs from day to day. Being responsible for 2 offices, PR and Protocol, I am always pulled in different directions. In PR, I have a boss who keeps me busy with a lot of writing and reading and in Protocol, I have to plan and luckily sometimes delegate the work. Right now, we have our annual conference coming up this March, this means planning every aspect of the conference, writing speeches and various reports etc. at the same time, I have to see to travel arrangements for delegates all over the member countries.

How do you think PR can help change how brands are perceived? When you call yourself, your product or service a brand, and no one gets to know about it, then the effort you used in branding was a complete waste. It is one thing to brand and another thing to communicate your brand to your audiences. This is where PR comes in to communicate effectively to your publics what your brand stands for and how different it is from others. This means that anyone looking to brand themselves or their business needs to employ PR skills and tactics or a PR specialist to get the job done effectively.

What kinds of challenges do you face in your Public Relations career choice? Besides the bureaucracy that goes on in the public sector, a lot of what we study about PR is theoretical and very different from what the actual job entails. Especially working for an examination body, you are faced with the challenge of balancing how much information the public should have while at the same time safeguard the integrity of the institution. This means being able to balance information flow among all stakeholders of the council. I have learned a lot on the job and have gained a lot of exposure within the past years.

As a PR Professional, what can’t you live without… the one thing I can’t live without is my brain and my gadgets (computer and phones). If I lose them my job is on stand still.

Do you feel pressure to dress well for the job?n From the very first day on the job, my CEO made me understand that as a Public Relations Professional I was automatically the face of my organization this meant that I had to be at my very best at all times – appearance, comportment etc. all inclusive. Fortunately, I always like to look my best because it gives me some kind of confidence. So no. there is no pressure except on my pocket.

Any advice to young ladies especially African women who may want pursue a career in PR or any communications related field? I will encourage more young ladies to venture into the world of PR and Communication because it is a very interesting field and one that will take you place if you let it. But to get to the top, you have to be well spoken, well read, develop excellent interpersonal relationship and skills and of course be ready to learn. No one can teach you confidence in the classroom. You can only be confident if you are knowledgeable in your field and you apply that knowledge to whatever you do.