In Search of an Education and Professionalism Nexus in Public Relations Practice in Ghana. In Ansu-Kyeremeh,

Abstract

The search for a nexus between public relations education and professionalism forms the basis of this chapter which assumes that the more education becomes widely available and accessible to public relations practitioners, the greater the level of professionalism injected into the practice. It tracks changes, including developments in public relations education, practitioner roles and functions. It examines professionalism as determined by higher educational qualifications of practitioners, more managerial roles and functions, greater recognition and appreciation of the profession and greater confidence and preparedness of practitioners to perform management functions. The chapter assesses the backgrounds and profiles of public relations training institutions in Ghana, and examines how they could be contributing to improved public relations Gieber and Johnson's (1961) three-role typology: neither characterised as negotiations/mutual exchanges nor manipulation but as a relationship of mutual mistrust and suspicion