Global Media Alliance (GMA), in partnership with the University of Media, Arts and Communication, will host the first research paper-based Public Relations Art Exhibition as part of the World Public Relations Day (WPRD) Festival 2026, under the theme “Decolonising PR: Reclaiming Indigenous Communication Power.”
The groundbreaking exhibition, which comes on this Friday, July 10th, at the ALX Hub in Accra, will bring together academia, PR practitioners and lovers of arts to challenge conventional narratives that position public relations as a purely Western discipline.
Drawing on recent academic research into Akan indigenous palace communication systems, the exhibition is designed as a multi-sensory experience that transforms academic research into immersive art, interactive storytelling and live cultural performances, creating a fresh and accessible way for audiences to engage with the evolution of public relations in Africa.
The exhibition is inspired by the research study “Did the West Introduce Public Relations to Africa? Narratives from Akan Indigenous Palace Practices,” conducted by researchers from UniMAC. Fuseini Iddrisu, Dr. Noel Nutsugah, Derek Onomah and Dr. Mavis Essandoh. Their work explores how traditional Akan governance structures employed strategic communication tools, symbolism and cultural protocols that mirror many principles of modern public relations.
The exhibition seeks to reclaim African ownership of communication theory, encourage culturally grounded approaches to public relations, and strengthen collaboration between academia, practitioners and the creative arts.
The PR Art Exhibition forms part of the broader World Public Relations Day Festival 2026, themed “Reimagining PR,” which brings together communication professionals, researchers, students and industry leaders to explore the future of public relations through innovation, technology, culture and sustainability.