Ms. Esther A.N. Cobbah, President of the International Public Relations Association (IPRA) has raised concerns over extreme weather events worldwide and unseasonal heavy downpours in Ghana, highlighting that the “talk of climate change is not just an abstract scientific theory.”
In her message, “Humanity in Harmony – Climate Change,” Ms. Esther A.N. Cobbah, highlighted recent flooding in parts of Ghana, noting predictions from the Ghana Meteorological Service of higher-than-normal rainfall in southern Ghana from March to June 2026 and questioning how widely this information has reached the public.
She said, “One cannot help wondering how many people in Ghana have heard of this prediction, much less considered what significance it might have for them.”
She also emphasized a critical “knowledge gap” that leaves communities, leaders, and decision-makers unprepared for climate consequences, stating that, “without knowledge, people perish”.
Ms. Cobbah stated broader socio-economic challenges in health, education, and agriculture which have solutions but fail to reach those in need due to communication failures.
“Solutions to many of these issues abound, yet not within the reach of those who need the solutions. There is, often, a glaring gap in communication”, she noted.
She called on communication professionals to bridge this gap, describing communication as a vital “bridge builder” between information holders and those who need it.
Ms. Cobbah stated, “Leaders can, with more urgency, take steps necessary for public welfare and protect lives and property as much as possible… We must be proactive in bridging information gaps in our various contexts and this must be done appropriately.”
According to Ms. Cobbah, IPRA prioritizes climate change communication by empowering PR professionals to raise awareness, promote ethical practices, and support UN Sustainable Development Goal 13.
By: Veronica Sena Amenya//Newswatchgh.com
