<p>The Executive Director of Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG), Dr. Joseph Kobla Wemakor, has outlined the vision behind the organisation’s newly launched HRRG Global RightsShield Awards, describing it as a global recognition platform aimed at celebrating leadership, human rights advocacy, democratic governance and sustainable development.</p>
<p>Dr. Wemakor made this known on July 23, 2026, during an interview on <strong>“</strong>Africa in Perspective&#8221;, a programme on Radio Now 95.3 FM in Lagos, Nigeria, where he discussed the rationale behind the recognition of distinguished African leaders and institutions<strong>, </strong>including His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, at the inaugural edition of the awards.</p>
<p>The interview, hosted by broadcaster Abiodun Adelowore, focused on the topic &#8220;President Mahama’s Recent Prestigious African Statesmanship Award&#8221;, following the presentation of the African Statesmanship &; Democratic Renewal Award to President Mahama during the 3rd African High-Level Civil Society Conference on Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) held in Abuja, Nigeria, on July 14, 2026.</p>
<p>Dr Wemakor explained that HRRG, a frontline media advocacy civil society organisation, has for more than a decade worked to promote human dignity, social justice, democratic accountability, inclusive development and civic participation in Ghana, Africa and beyond.</p>
<p>He said the organisation had empowered women, children, youth, rural communities, persons with disabilities and other marginalised groups through rights-based advocacy, while supporting initiatives focused on digital rights, climate justice, accountability and sustainable development.</p>
<p>According to him, HRRG collaborates with journalists, civil society organisations, policymakers and development partners across Africa to strengthen human rights protection and citizen participation in governance processes.</p>
<h4><strong>HRRG’s International Recognition</strong></h4>
<p>Dr. Wemakor highlighted some of HRRG’s major achievements, including the organisation’s receipt of the prestigious 5th UN Global Entreps Award for Best International Practice on Sustainability through its Kidnapping, Teenage Pregnancy and Tramadol (KTT) Project, which has impacted more than 60,000 beneficiaries.</p>
<p>He described the recognition as one of HRRG’s significant international milestones, reflecting the organisation’s commitment to developing innovative and sustainable solutions to social challenges.</p>
<p>He also mentioned other recognitions received by HRRG, including the Africa Peace Advocate Award (2023), finalist recognition at the African Human Rights Defenders Shield Awards (2023), inclusion among Ghana’s 100 Most Impactful Changemakers (2024), and recognition by the World Bank for expert contributions to the Equality of Opportunity for Sexual and Gender Minorities (EQOSOGI) Report.</p>
<p>Dr. Wemakor further noted that HRRG currently convenes and supports more than 500 civil society organisations through the Youth Sub-Platform of the Ghana Civil Society Organisations Platform on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).</p>
<h4><strong>Purpose of the Global RightsShield Awards</strong></h4>
<p>He explained that the HRRG Global RightsShield Awards were established as a global honours platform to recognise individuals and institutions whose work advances human rights, democracy, digital freedoms, civic participation, social justice, media freedom, climate justice, disability rights, environmental sustainability and inclusive development.</p>
<p>He stressed that the awards were not political but were based on leadership impact, public service, democratic values and contributions to humanity.</p>
<p>“These are not political awards. They are independent recognitions grounded in leadership, measurable impact, public service, democratic values, and commitment to humanity,” he said.</p>
<p>Dr. Wemakor disclosed that the awards were initially planned alongside HRRG’s high-level dialogue at the cancelled RightsCon 2026 Summit in Lusaka, Zambia, on the theme: “Silenced Twice: Press Freedom and Disability Voices Under Threat in Africa.”</p>
<p>Following the cancellation of the summit, he said the HRRG Board and Awards Committee decided that selected recipients should still receive recognition.</p>
<p>He explained that the organisation subsequently launched the awards during the continental AML/CFT Conference in Abuja under the theme &#8220;Championing Human Rights and Democratic Renewal.”</p>
<h4><strong>President Mahama’s Recognition</strong></h4>
<p>Addressing the recognition of President John Dramani Mahama, Dr. Wemakor explained that the African Statesmanship &; Democratic Renewal Award was based on the President’s contributions to democratic governance, inclusive leadership, peaceful democratic transitions, regional cooperation, public service and democratic renewal.</p>
<p>He clarified that the honour was aligned with the objectives of the award category and was not influenced by political considerations.</p>
<p>Dr. Wemakor explained that statesmanship reflected qualities such as leadership, integrity, vision, institution-building and service to society, while democratic renewal represented efforts to strengthen democratic institutions, accountability, civic trust, peaceful governance and citizen participation.</p>
<p>He said recognising exemplary leadership was important because it encouraged responsible governance and inspired future generations.</p>
<p>“Awards do more than celebrate individuals. They inspire others to lead responsibly, encourage integrity in public service and demonstrate that positive leadership deserves recognition,” he said.</p>
<h4><strong>Inaugural Honourees and Award Categories</strong></h4>
<p>Dr. Wemakor said the inaugural edition of the HRRG Global RightsShield Awards recognised a diverse group of leaders and institutions across different sectors.</p>
<p>The honourees included President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria; Professor Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba; Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa; Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri; Ing. Dr. George Asiedu; Hon. Alfredos Nii Anyetei; Joshua Elikplim Adjei; Eminence Lead International; and Access Now and its RightsCon Global Team.</p>
<p>He said the diversity of recipients reflected the awards’ objective of recognising contributions from government, civil society, academia, youth leadership and international development.</p>
<p>The inaugural awards recognised excellence across seven categories:</p>
<ul>
<li>Pan-African Leadership;</li>
<li>Human Rights;</li>
<li>Digital Rights;</li>
<li>Civic Space;</li>
<li>Local Governance;</li>
<li>Youth Leadership; and</li>
<li>Sustainable Development.</li>
</ul>
<h4><strong>Future Vision</strong></h4>
<p>Dr. Wemakor expressed appreciation to the organisers of the AML/CFT Conference, Spaces for Change (S4C), Civic Advisory Hub (CAH), their partners, members of the Awards Committee and the HRRG Board for supporting the successful launch of the initiative.</p>
<p>He said the HRRG Global RightsShield Awards were intended to become a permanent international honours platform celebrating individuals and institutions advancing democracy, human rights, civic freedoms, digital rights, accountability and sustainable development across Africa and beyond.</p>
<p>According to him, Africa needs more credible platforms that celebrate ethical leadership, democratic resilience, civic courage and service to humanity.</p>
<p>He expressed optimism that the awards would continue to evolve into one of Africa’s leading platforms for recognising transformational leadership and advancing democratic values.</p>
<p>“The HRRG Global RightsShield Awards are not simply about recognising distinguished personalities. They are about promoting the values that strengthen societies—human dignity, democratic governance, accountability, civic participation and service to humanity,” Dr. Wemakor said.</p>
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<p>Listen to the full interview here:</p>
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