Executive Committee

Ms. Esther Amba Numaba Cobbah is a Communication Specialist with over 40 years of experience in the local and international Communications industry. She is the CEO of Strategic Communications Africa (Stratcomm Africa), Ghana’s premier communication agency which she established thirty years ago. Stratcomm Africa provides 360-degree communication services and products to organizations, public and private, local, and international, as well as individuals. She has led Stratcomm Africa to provide professional support to numerous organisations with great success. An affiliate company, of Stratcomm Africa, Skillhive, also provides training in communication and other soft skills. Skill up in Communication to Scale up is one of the offerings that Skillhive jointly delivers.

Ms. Cobbah is a Fellow of the Institute of Public Relations (IPR), Ghana, and currently the President of the Institute. She serves on the Board of the International Public Relations Association (IPRA) and also sits on the international awards judging boards of IPRA as well as the Bulgarian Public Relations Awards (BAPRA). She currently sits on the Advisory Board of the College of Education, University of Ghana, Legon, under which falls the department of Communication Studies. She is a mentor on the Global Women in PR Mentorship Programme (GWPR EMPOWER).

After her Bachelor of Arts degree and Graduate Diploma in Communications (Public Relations and Journalism) at the University of Ghana, Legon, she went on to obtain a Master’s Degree at Cornell University, USA, where she was an International Rotary Scholar. Additionally, Ms Cobbah holds a certificate in Organisation Systems Development from the Organisation Development Center (Ghana) under The Gestalt Institute of Cleveland, USA, and is now a well sought after facilitator. She is on the faculty of the novel Gestalt Africa Leadership Programme.

As a pioneer of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) in the 1980s, Ms Cobbah established the Public Affairs department of the Corporation. She also in the 1990s, established the Public Affairs Department of the West African Gas Pipeline Project (involving Chevron as Managing Sponsor as well as Shell, NNPC, GNPC and the gas companies of Togo and Benin), later WAPCO.

Ms Cobbah has also established a number of award winning social initiatives, including the Ghana Garden and Flower Movement, a Climate Action- focused initiative, Women SHARE (Women Soaring Higher Achieving Real Excellence) an initiative through which women are empowered while also building enduring bonds of encouragement etc. This is done through the use of effective communication and facilitation principles and tools etc. Nurture to Bloom another women-focused initiative helps to promote among society, the positive impacts of the nurturing qualities of women on enterprise and society in general. Read It Write It Say it also contributes to promotion of literacy among children, while building their interest in reading and writing thus facilitating critical thinking and creativity, and other essential skills for communicating effectively.

Ms Cobbah passionately believes in the power of communication as a tool for national development, individual livelihood enhancement as well as organisational growth and profitability. She is ensuring that, within Stratcomm Africa and the spheres of the communication industry, she contributes to building the capacities of professionals.

She is keen to inspire young people, especially young women, to greater heights. She authored “Dare to Be”, a book that celebrates a number of women who dare to overcome barriers to realise their dreams.

Donald Gwira is an award-winning Public Relations and Global Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Leader. He has worked at the senior and strategic levels for local and global brands like Afriwave Telecom, Airtel Ghana, Guinness Ghana Breweries/Diageo, Sightsavers International (Royal Commonwealth Society for the Blind), and Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) – Institute of Science and Technology Information (INSTI) where he led successful teams for business success. He is a communications Consultant, guiding organisations toward strategic objectives through his invaluable advisory services.  He is on several Boards including STIRS Collaborative, Kandifo Institute, New Times Corporation, and was the Chairman of the Ghana-Netherlands Chamber of Commerce and Culture. Now Ghana Netherlands Business and Culture Council.

He has consulted for Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems, World Bank Group, African Union Development Agency-NEPAD, Global Affairs Canada, Trust Hospital, Forum for Agriculture Research in Africa, Karpowership, and Council for Scientific and Industrial Research.

He has over 30 years of experience in Corporate, Regulatory, and Legislative Affairs, Public Relations, Advocacy, CSR, Branding, Crisis Communications, Media Relations, Corporate, Development and Marketing Communications.  He is passionate about knowledge sharing and has presented at the local and global levels.

Donald is an Accredited Public Relations practitioner, a former council member and now the vice president of the Institute of Public Relations Ghana.   He supports the Institute with leadership, mentorships, and as a facilitator of the Accreditation Refresher Courses and the Continuous Professional Development Programme for members.

His professional life as a business leader has earned him many awards. ISAR Honours 2022 and 2023 Nominee National Category. Observer Member of the African Regional Partnership (ARP) for Sustainability and SDG Reporting.  Issued by UNCTAD. April 2022.  Two World CSR Day awards: “101 Fabulous Global CSR Leaders” and “100 Most Impactful CSR Leaders (Global Listing) presented in 2020 and 2017 respectively.   He is also a member of their Advisory Council. In 2014, he was PR Discovery of the Year awarded by the Institute of Public Relations Ghana Excellence Awards.

In 2005 Donald was One of 36 Exemplary Leaders featured in a book entitled “Leading Coherently – Reflections from Leaders Across the World”.  The authors’ Professors Michael Dickmann and Nancy Stanford–Blair describe him in the book as follows: “As a communications expert, he led the public relations effort across West Africa to get the word out about the prevention and cure of blindness. His creativity and “way with words” was effective in making the gift of sight a high priority for those within reach of his information campaigns.” This book has become one of the reading materials for students of communications and leadership across the world.

Donald holds a master’s degree in Political Science majoring in International Relations with a minor in Comparative Politics (Africa) from Howard University USA.  He also has a bachelor’s degree in International Affairs from the American University of Paris, France.

Solace is a Communications Professional with a specialization in Public Relations and Journalism. She currently works as Regional Communications Manager for the Accra West Region of Ghana Water Company Limited, now Ghana Water Limited.

 She is bilingual (English and French, with basic knowledge in German) and has 13 years of work experience in communication practice and seven (7) in administrative services.

 Her routine functions in her current role as Communications Manager include stakeholder management, community relations and media relations.

 Solace has chaired and served on high profile committees and projects as translator/interpreter, communications expert and rapporteur locally and internationally.

Experienced Public Relations Practitioner, Journalist, and Healthcare Manager.

Gabby serves on the Executive and Council as the Treasurer.
He is responsible for keeping the Institute’s purse safe and ensuring financial transparency and accountability.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) degree in Communication Studies from the Ghana Institute of Journalism, a Masters’ degree in Development Communication from the University for Development Studies, Ghana and a Second Masters degree in Christian Ministry from the Trinity Theological Seminary, Accra. He has a Post Graduate Certificate  in Health Administration and Management from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) .

Nii, as he is affectionately called, is passionate about responsible leadership, communication excellence and seamless events management and coordination.

His hobbies include making new friends, reading and events management.

Abraham Otabil is a seasoned professional with a proven track record in public relations, poised to serve as a beacon of excellence in the role of Deputy Honorary Secretary of the Institute of Public Relations, Ghana. With over a decade and half of experience spanning various esteemed ministries and media organizations, Abraham brings a blend of expertise, leadership, and a deep commitment to effective communication.

His tenure as Head of Public Relations Unit at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Ministry of Works and Housing, showcases his ability to navigate complex issues with finesse, evident in his pivotal role in shaping policies and programs.

A great team player with an eye for detail, Abraham thrives in high-pressure environments, consistently delivering results with minimal supervision. His excellent leadership skills, coupled with a passion for driving initiatives forward, has earned him accolades such as the Kojo Oppong Nkrumah Best PR Excellence Award and the Government Public Relations Award 2times in a row. He also won a distinguished award at Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) as UNFPA’s Best Student in Population Communication. While at the Works and Housing Ministry, Otabil played a pioneering role in the life of the Institute as a liaison between his Ministry and the Institute which culminated in the Institute acquiring it’s current office from the State.

An accredited member of the Institute of Public Relations Ghana, Abraham is deeply committed to professional development, as evidenced by his participation in various capacity-building workshops, training programs and conferences in and outside the country. His educational background in Marketing & Organizational Research, coupled with a Bachelor of Science in Administration (HR), as well as a diploma in Communication Studies, provides a solid foundation for navigating the intricacies of public relations management.

Beyond his professional endeavours, Abraham is a devoted family man, married with three children. In his leisure time, Abraham finds joy in reading and nurturing his garden, reflecting his commitment to continuous growth and nurturing relationships both personally and professionally.