SLACPRP Marks First Anniversary, Moves to Establish Professional Standards
Aaron Parker The Sierra Leone Association of Communications and Public Relations Professionals (SLACPRP) has marked its first anniversary, highlighting its progress in building a professional community and strengthening efforts to establish standards for communications and public relations practice in Sierra Leone.
The Association celebrated the milestone on Sunday, 8 November 2026, one year after its online launch on 8 November 2025.
The anniversary marked the conclusion of SLACPRP Week, which ran from 2 to 8 November under the theme, “It’s our week. Let’s make it count!” Activities included online engagements through which members shared their experiences, displayed branded items and participated in a social media countdown marking the Association’s first year.
A major highlight was the SLACPRP at One gathering held on Friday, 6 November, bringing together members, partners and other stakeholders to celebrate the organisation’s achievements.
Since its establishment, SLACPRP has secured several institutional milestones, including registration as a company limited by guarantee and admission into the African Public Relations Association (APRA), the continental professional body for public relations.
The Association has also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Public Relations Society of Kenya (PRSK), establishing a formal partnership aimed at strengthening professional cooperation.
Additionally, SLACPRP has become a signatory to the African Declaration on the Professionalisation of Public Relations and Responsible Communications, reinforcing its commitment to ethical practice, professional accountability and the recognition of public relations as a distinct profession.
At the national level, the Association has engaged key institutions in Sierra Leone’s media and communications sector, including the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), the Independent Media Commission (IMC) and the Ministry of Information and Civic Education. These engagements are intended to strengthen dialogue and collaboration across the country’s media and communications landscape.
SLACPRP also reported that its membership has grown to more than 40 communications and public relations practitioners. As part of efforts to improve membership administration and engagement, the Association unveiled its membership dashboard during its first-anniversary gathering on 6 November.
The organisation is also seeking to expand its international presence. It is expected to be represented at the upcoming World Public Relations Forum and African Public Relations Association convening in Abuja, Nigeria, in November 2026, where it will have the opportunity to engage with international practitioners and professional organisations.
Speaking on the anniversary, Interim Chairman Sallieu Sesay said the Association was established on the belief that communications and public relations practitioners in Sierra Leone deserve professional standards, ethical guidelines and recognition comparable to those in other professions.
He noted that the Association had spent its first year building the institutional foundations needed to advance that objective, including securing formal registration, continental recognition and growing its membership to more than 40 practitioners.
Looking ahead, SLACPRP plans to introduce a formal code of ethics for its members, establish professional standards for communications and public relations practice, and provide accredited training opportunities to improve practitioners’ skills and professional capacity.
The Association also intends to strengthen its relationships with local and international stakeholders, encourage collaboration across the sector and create more opportunities for professional development.
Its next membership intake is scheduled for the first half of 2027. Interested communications and public relations practitioners can register their interest by contacting [email protected]While further announcements are expected through the Association’s social media platforms.