SLACPRP Marks First Anniversary, Targets Professionalism in Communications Sector

The Sierra Leone Association of Communications and Public Relations Professionals (SLACPRP) has marked its first anniversary, celebrating a year of building a professional community, strengthening institutional relationships and expanding its connections within the wider African and international public relations industry.

The Association marked the milestone on Sunday, 8 November 2026, exactly one year after its online launch on 8 November 2025, which formally introduced the organisation and its vision of advancing communications and public relations practice in Sierra Leone.

The anniversary represents an important milestone in SLACPRP’s efforts to bring communications and public relations professionals together, promote professional collaboration and contribute to the development of standards within the country’s evolving communications sector.

The celebration also marked the conclusion of SLACPRP Week, which ran from 2 to 8 November 2026 under the theme, “It’s Our Week. Let’s Make It Count!”

Throughout the week, members participated in various online activities designed to celebrate the Association’s journey, strengthen members’ sense of belonging and reflect on the progress made since its establishment.

Activities included sharing personal SLACPRP experiences and memorable moments, showcasing Association-branded items and using the official “Countdown to One” profile frame across social media platforms.

The highlight of the anniversary week was SLACPRP at One, an in-person celebration held on Friday, 6 November 2026, which brought together members, partners and friends of the Association to commemorate its first year of existence.

The gathering provided an opportunity for members and stakeholders to reflect on the Association’s journey, celebrate its achievements and consider the opportunities ahead for strengthening the communications and public relations profession in Sierra Leone.

Beyond the anniversary celebrations, the milestone provides an opportunity for SLACPRP to reaffirm its commitment to promoting professionalism, strengthening institutional partnerships and creating opportunities for knowledge-sharing and professional development.

As communications and public relations continue to play an increasingly important role in shaping public information, institutional reputation and stakeholder engagement, the Association’s work is geared towards encouraging professional standards and strengthening the capacity of practitioners across the country.

The first anniversary therefore signals not only a celebration of the Association’s establishment but also an opportunity to renew its commitment to building a connected, knowledgeable and professionally recognised communications community in Sierra Leone . The Sierra Leone Association of Communications and Public Relations Professionals (SLACPRP) has marked its first anniversary, celebrating a year of building a professional community, strengthening institutional relationships and expanding its connections within the wider African and international public relations industry.

The anniversary represents an important milestone in SLACPRP’s efforts to unite communications and public relations professionals, promote collaboration and contribute to establishing professional standards within the country’s evolving communications sector.

The celebration also marked the conclusion of SLACPRP Week, which ran from 2 to 8 November 2026 under the theme, “It’s Our Week. Let’s Make It Count!”

Beyond the celebrations, SLACPRP used the anniversary to reflect on its institutional achievements and the foundations it has established towards building a recognised professional body for communications and public relations practitioners in Sierra Leone.

Within its first year, the Association has been registered as a company limited by guarantee and admitted as a member of the African Public Relations Association (APRA), the continental professional body for public relations.

It has also established a formal partnership with the Public Relations Society of Kenya (PRSK) through a memorandum of understanding, creating opportunities for professional cooperation, knowledge-sharing and institutional collaboration between practitioners in the two countries.

Further demonstrating its commitment to advancing professional standards across Africa, SLACPRP has become a signatory to the African Declaration on the Professionalisation of Public Relations and Responsible Communications.

The declaration reflects the Association’s commitment to promoting ethical practice, professional accountability and wider recognition of public relations as a distinct profession, while encouraging practitioners to uphold standards that strengthen public trust and institutional credibility.

At the national level, the Association has continued to establish relationships with key institutions within Sierra Leone’s media and communications landscape, including the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), the Independent Media Commission (IMC) and the Ministry of Information and Civic Education.

These engagements are aimed at creating platforms for dialogue, collaboration and stronger working relationships among institutions and professionals operating across the media, communications and public relations sectors.

Membership development has also been a key part of the Association’s first-year activities. Through its membership drive, SLACPRP has attracted more than 40 practitioners into its growing professional community, reflecting increasing interest in collective professional representation and development.

As part of efforts to improve membership administration, communication and engagement, the Association unveiled its membership dashboard during its first-anniversary gathering on 6 November 2026. The platform is expected to support more efficient membership management and strengthen interaction between the Association and its members.

SLACPRP is also working to expand its international visibility and professional networks. In November 2026, the Association is expected to be represented at the upcoming World Public Relations Forum and African Public Relations Association convening in Abuja, Nigeria.

The engagement is expected to provide an opportunity for Sierra Leonean practitioners to interact with international colleagues, exchange professional experiences and strengthen the country’s representation within the wider African and global public relations community.

Speaking on the anniversary, SLACPRP Interim Chairman, Sallieu Sesay, said the Association was established on the conviction that communications and public relations practitioners in Sierra Leone deserve professional standards, ethical guidance and recognition comparable to those in other professions.

“A year ago we launched with a simple conviction. Communications and public relations in Sierra Leone deserve the same standards, ethics and recognition as any other profession. In twelve months we have built the foundations. We are registered, we are recognised by our continental body, and more than 40 practitioners have chosen to stand together. The year ahead is about turning those foundations into standards the public can trust,” he said.

The Chairman’s remarks reflect the Association’s ambition to move beyond institutional establishment towards developing a professional framework that promotes ethical conduct, accountability, competence and public confidence in the communications and public relations industry.

As communications and public relations continue to play an increasingly important role in shaping public information, institutional reputation and stakeholder engagement, SLACPRP’s first anniversary marks both a celebration of its progress and a renewed commitment to strengthening the profession.

With its growing membership, continental recognition, international partnerships and engagement with national institutions, the Association enters its second year with a focus on consolidating the foundations already established and advancing professional standards across Sierra Leone’s communications sector. The Sierra Leone Association of Communications and Public Relations Professionals (SLACPRP) has marked its first anniversary, celebrating a year of building a professional community, strengthening institutional relationships and expanding its connections within the wider African and international public relations industry.

The celebration also marked the conclusion of SLACPRP Week, which ran from 2 to 8 November 2026 under the theme, “It’s Our Week. Let’s Make It Count!”

Looking ahead, the Association plans to focus on formalising a code of ethics for its members, establishing professional standards for communications and public relations practice, and introducing accredited training opportunities to strengthen the capacity and competence of practitioners.

It also intends to deepen relationships with local and international stakeholders, encourage greater collaboration across the sector and create additional opportunities for professional development.

As part of its membership expansion strategy, SLACPRP has scheduled its next membership intake for the first half of 2027. Communications and public relations practitioners interested in joining the Association are encouraged to register their interest through connect@slacpr.org and follow SLACPRP on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram for further announcements.

About SLACPRP

The Sierra Leone Association of Communications and Public Relations Professionals (SLACPRP) is a professional body representing practitioners in communications, public relations and related fields in Sierra Leone.

Registered as a company limited by guarantee, the Association exists to raise professional standards, promote ethical practice and strengthen the professional capacity of its members.

SLACPRP is a member of the African Public Relations Association (APRA), has a memorandum of understanding with the Public Relations Society of Kenya (PRSK) and is a signatory to the African Declaration on the Professionalisation of Public Relations and Responsible Communications.