Seasoned communication professionals emphasized intentional leadership development and value-driven personal branding during a pivotal fireside chat at the 2025 World Public Relations Day Festival in Accra.
The July 18 discussion, organized by Global Media Alliance (GMA), featured Cynthia Lumor, Deputy Managing Director of Tullow Ghana, and Gayheart Mensah, Deputy CEO of Ghana’s Food and Drugs Authority, moderated by Hollard Ghana’s Cynthia Ofori-Dwumfuo.
Lumor urged PR practitioners to embrace uncertainty and prioritize long-term growth over comfort. “The fear of the unknown paralyses us. Don’t be afraid to make a move, even if the next step comes with a lower salary,” she advised, stressing that leadership readiness requires holistic industry understanding and visible contribution. She identified empathy, integrity, dependability, and boldness as foundational values for influence. Mensah echoed the call for discipline, recalling his conscious effort to overcome shyness: “Your brand already exists. What you’re known for is your brand. Are you maintaining and growing it?” He emphasized goal-setting, ethical networking, and consistency as non-negotiables for career advancement.
The dialogue anchored the festival’s fifth anniversary under the theme “Dominant Coalition and Personal Branding.” GMA Chief Director Emma Wenani described the milestone as both celebration and catalyst for industry advancement, noting plans to expand future editions. The week-long event included AI-data integration workshops and cultural programming, reinforcing PR’s evolving role amid technological and societal shifts. GMA Head of PR Ekow Quandzie positioned the festival as a movement shaping leadership across Africa’s communication landscape.
