<p><strong>ABUJA, Nigeria, July 14, 2026</strong> — Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG) has officially launched the &#8216;HRRG Global RightsShield Awards&#8217;, formerly known as the &#8216;HRRG Global Rightscon Awards&#8217;, honouring an outstanding class of African leaders, diplomats, legal scholars, institutions and human rights champions whose contributions continue to advance democracy, human rights and sustainable development across Africa and beyond.</p>
<p>The landmark unveiling and awards presentation took place on Tuesday during the 3rd Africa High-Level Civil Society Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Conference 2026 at the Abuja Continental Hotel in Nigeria&#8217;s Federal Capital Territory, under the theme &#8220;Championing Human Rights and Democratic Renewal&#8221;.</p>
<p>The event brought together policymakers, diplomats, legal experts, civil society leaders, development practitioners and international stakeholders from across Africa, marking what organisers described as a defining milestone in HRRG&#8217;s evolution into a globally recognised institution promoting human rights, democratic governance, digital freedoms and social justice.</p>
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<p>Originally conceived as a recognition initiative to coincide with the RightsCon 2026 Summit in Lusaka, Zambia, the awards were retained despite the summit&#8217;s cancellation after HRRG&#8217;s Board of Directors and Awards Committee resolved that the achievements of the selected honourees deserved formal international recognition.</p>
<p>Delivering the keynote address, HRRG Founder and Executive Director Dr. Joseph Kobla Wemakor described the awards as the beginning of a lasting global platform dedicated to recognising courageous leadership and transformative impact.</p>
<p>&#8220;Today is not merely about presenting plaques and citations. It is about officially launching a global platform that celebrates individuals and institutions who have consistently chosen courage over convenience, service over self-interest and impact over applause,&#8221; he said.</p>
<p>Dr. Wemakor stressed that recognising exemplary leadership is essential to strengthening democratic institutions, promoting ethical public service and inspiring future generations to champion justice, accountability and inclusive development.</p>
<p>He noted that the awards seek not only to honour excellence but also to inspire a global movement committed to protecting human dignity and advancing democratic values.</p>
<p>Among the distinguished recipients was President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria, who received the African Democratic Leadership &; Regional Integration Award for his leadership in democratic governance and regional cooperation. Ghana&#8217;s President John Dramani Mahama was honoured with the African Statesmanship &; Democratic Renewal Award for his commitment to democratic values, inclusive development and regional collaboration.</p>
<p>Renowned Kenyan legal scholar and Pan-Africanist Professor Patrick Loch Otieno (PLO) Lumumba received the Pan-African Legal Thought &; Moral Leadership Award for his outstanding contributions to constitutionalism, ethical leadership and African unity. Ghana&#8217;s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, was presented with the African Diplomacy &; Global Solidarity Award for Sustainable Development in recognition of his contributions to diplomacy and international cooperation.</p>
<p>The awards also recognised Access Now and the RightsCon Global Team for their outstanding global leadership in advancing digital rights, internet freedom and the protection of human rights in the digital age.</p>
<p>Other recipients included Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri, Founder and Executive Director of Spaces for Change (S4C), for her leadership in civic space protection and social justice advocacy; Ing. Dr. George Asiedu, Project Coordinator of the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area Sanitation and Water Project (GAMA SWP), for advancing sustainable development and environmental responsibility; Hon. Alfredos Nii Anyetei, Municipal Chief Executive of the La Dade-Kotopon Municipal Assembly, for excellence in local governance and community transformation; Joshua Elikplim Adjei, Programme Officer at HRRG, for emerging leadership in human rights advocacy and youth empowerment; and Eminence Lead International, recognised for its commitment to leadership development and community transformation.</p>
<p>According to HRRG, all recipients were selected through an independent assessment conducted by the organisation&#8217;s Board and Awards Committee, based on demonstrated leadership, measurable impact, integrity and exceptional contributions within their respective fields.</p>
<p>The organisation said nominees with professional affiliations to HRRG were subjected to the same selection criteria and excluded from deliberations concerning their nominations.</p>
<p>Dr. Wemakor expressed appreciation to Spaces for Change (S4C), Civic Advisory Hub (CAH), the organisers of the AML/CFT Conference, development partners, the HRRG Board and Awards Committee, and all collaborating institutions whose support made the successful unveiling of the awards possible.</p>
<p>He reaffirmed HRRG&#8217;s commitment to institutionalising the HRRG Global RightsCon Awards as one of the world&#8217;s foremost recognition platforms celebrating transformational leadership, democratic governance, civic freedoms and sustainable development.</p>
<p>Launched in Abuja on July 14, 2026, the HRRG Global RightsShield Awards serve as the flagship international honours programme of Human Rights Reporters Ghana and partners.</p>
<p>The initiative recognises individuals and institutions whose courage, integrity, innovation and commitment continue to advance human rights, democratic governance, digital rights and sustainable development worldwide.</p>
<p>Founded in 2019, Human Rights Reporters Ghana is an award-winning, youth-led human rights and media-focused civil society organisation that promotes human dignity, democratic accountability, investigative journalism, policy engagement and sustainable development through advocacy, research, capacity building and strategic partnerships.</p>
<p>Over the years, the organisation has received national and international recognition for its innovative human rights and development initiatives and currently supports more than 500 civil society organisations through the Youth Sub-Platform of the Ghana Civil Society Organizations Platform on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).</p>
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<p><strong data-start="2019" data-end="2039">Branding Update:</strong> Since the publication of this article, the awards programme has been officially renamed the <strong data-start="2132" data-end="2167">HRRG Global RightsShield Awards</strong>. The change reflects the programme&#8217;s evolution under an independent brand identity while preserving the purpose, vision, and recognition of all inaugural honourees.</p>