Inaugural honourees of the HRRG Global RightsCon Awards, now the HRRG Global RightsShield Awards

Recognising the Visionaries Who Shaped the Legacy of Our Global Honours Programme

Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG) proudly celebrates the distinguished leaders, institutions, and changemakers honoured during the inaugural edition of its flagship international honours programme, now officially known as the HRRG Global RightsShield Awards.

The inaugural edition marked a defining milestone in HRRG’s commitment to recognising outstanding leadership, integrity, innovation, and exceptional service to humanity.

The awards honoured individuals and institutions whose work has significantly advanced human rights, democratic governance, diplomacy, civic participation, digital rights, public service, sustainable development, and community transformation across Africa and beyond.

Although the awards programme has since been officially rebranded from the HRRG Global RightsCon Awards to the HRRG Global RightsShield Awards, all honours conferred upon the inaugural recipients remain fully valid and unchanged.

The rebranding marks an important milestone in the programme’s evolution, reinforcing its distinctive and independent global identity while preserving the legacy, prestige, and recognition of every inaugural honouree.

Category 1: Special Pan-African Leadership

H.E. John Dramani Mahama

President of the Republic of Ghana

Award: African Statesmanship & Democratic Renewal Award

Recognised for his visionary statesmanship and commitment to democratic governance, ethical leadership, regional cooperation, peacebuilding, and sustainable development across Africa.

 

H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu

President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

 Award: African Democratic Leadership & Regional Integration Award

Recognised for distinguished leadership in strengthening democratic governance, promoting regional integration, advancing economic development, and enhancing Africa’s voice in continental and global affairs.

 Professor Patrick Loch Otieno (PLO) Lumumba

Kenyan Legal Scholar, Orator and Pan-Africanist

Award: Pan-African Legal Thought & Moral Leadership Award

Recognised for exceptional intellectual leadership, unwavering advocacy for constitutionalism, ethical governance, Pan-African unity, and justice.

Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Ghana

Award: African Diplomacy & Global Solidarity Award for Sustainable Development

Recognised for transformative leadership in diplomacy, multilateral engagement, human rights-centred foreign policy, and sustainable development.

 

Category 2: Sanitation & Sustainable Cities Leadership

 Ing. Dr. George Asiedu

Coordinator, Greater Accra Metropolitan Area Sanitation and Water Project (GAMA SWP)

Award: Sanitation & Sustainable Cities Leadership Award

Recognised for outstanding leadership in public health, urban sanitation, water access, and sustainable city development.

 

Category 3: Civic Space & Social Justice Leadership

Ms. Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri

Executive Director, Spaces for Change, West Africa

Award: Civic Space & Social Justice Advocacy Award

Recognised for advancing civic freedoms, social justice, gender equality, disability inclusion, and the protection of civic space across Africa.

 

Category 4: Global Digital Rights Leadership

 

Access Now & RightsCon Global Team

International Digital Rights Organization

Award: RightsCon Global Convening & Movement-Building Excellence Award

Recognised for outstanding global leadership in promoting digital rights, internet freedom, technology accountability, civic space, and the protection of human rights in the digital age.

Editorial Note: This recognition was presented to Access Now and its RightsCon Global Team as one of the inaugural honourees of the awards programme.

The awards are an independent initiative founded and organised solely by Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG).

Category 5: African Civil Society & Sustainable Development Leadership

 

Eminence Lead International LBG

Award: Civil Society Excellence & Inclusive Development Impact Award

Recognised for exemplary leadership in promoting women’s economic empowerment, quality education, sustainable agriculture, gender equality, and inclusive community development.

 

Category 6: Emerging Human Rights Leadership & Youth Advocacy

 

Joshua Elikplim Adjei

Programme Officer, HRR Ghana

Award: Emerging Human Rights Leadership & Youth Advocacy Excellence Award

Recognised for exceptional youth leadership and outstanding contributions to human rights advocacy, civic engagement, and youth empowerment in Ghana.

 

Category 7: Local Governance & Community Transformation Leadership

Hon. Alfredos Nii Anyetei

Municipal Chief Executive, La Dade-Kotopon Municipal Assembly (LaDMA)

Award: Local Governance & Community Transformation Excellence Award

Recognised for visionary leadership in local governance, community development, inclusive decision-making, and sustainable urban transformation.

 

Building a Lasting Legacy

The inaugural recipients of the HRRG Global RightsShield Awards, initially conceived as the HRRG Global RightsCon Awards, represent a remarkable cross-section of African and global leadership. Their achievements embody the values upon which the awards were founded—integrity, visionary leadership, innovation, service, accountability, courage, and an unwavering commitment to advancing human dignity.

As HRRG prepares for future editions, the organisation remains committed to identifying and celebrating individuals and institutions whose leadership continues to inspire progress, strengthen democratic societies, and contribute to a more just, peaceful, and sustainable world.

The inaugural honourees will forever remain the foundation of the HRRG Global RightsShield Awards and an enduring part of the programme’s history.

 

Editorial Note

The awards programme was initially launched under an earlier working title during its inaugural edition in 2026. As part of Human Rights Reporters Ghana’s long-term branding strategy, the programme has since been officially renamed the HRRG Global RightsShield Awards.

This branding update reflects the programme’s independent global identity and does not affect the validity, status, or recognition of any inaugural honouree or award previously conferred.

 

Recognising Impact. Celebrating Leadership. Advancing Human Dignity.

Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG)

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