Shirley Tony Kum receiving the award from Dr Ekow Spio-Garbrah while Esther Cobbah looks on
Corporate Communications Head at Vivo Energy Ghana, Shirley Tony Kum, has been named Public Relations Personality of the Year at the PR Excellence Awards, the highest individual honour bestowed by the Institute of Public Relations (IPR), Ghana.
Receiving the award, Shirley shared her measurable impact made across the energy sector.
“From Stratcom Africa, Newmont to Vivo Energy…I have learnt the task of using customer insights to create measurable impacts… though I have asked myself many questions during difficult times… it has paid off today,” she said, acknowledging her mentees, colleagues and mentors who had contributed to her professional journey.
With nearly 20 years’ experience spanning media, mining, and petroleum, she has built a reputation as one of Ghana’s most versatile and impactful communications leaders.
At Vivo Energy Ghana, Shirley has redefined what corporate communications can achieve in a highly regulated, highly competitive sector.
Under her leadership, communications has moved from a support function to a key strategic driver—one that leverages data, behaviour insights, stakeholder intelligence and creative storytelling to shape purchasing decisions, influence public opinion and strengthen the company’s brand equity.
She has positioned Vivo Energy as a trusted, responsible, and community-oriented market leader, blending reputation management with corporate responsibility in ways that demonstrate authenticity, foresight, and consistency.
She leads the award-winning ShePower Project, a mentorship and empowerment initiative that invests in the next generation of female leaders.
Her dedication to nurturing young professionals has earned her admiration across the industry and speaks to her belief that leadership is most meaningful when it creates pathways for others.
The award night also saw Professor Kojo Yankah receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award and Dr Ekow Spio-Garbrah celebrated as PR legend of the year for his meritorious services both at home and abroad.
The PR discovery of the year went to Kenneth Adam, with UPSA emerging as the best student chapter.
President of the Institute of Public Relations, Ghana, Madam Esther Cobbah, urged the members to have a renewed commitment to the future of the Institute to make it a formidable force in the affairs of the country.