HRRG to Honour Distinguished African Leaders and Human Rights Champions at Global RightsCon 2026 Awards in Abuja

Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG), together with its global partners and stakeholders, has announced that the HRRG Global RightsCon 2026 Awards will be presented during the 3rd Africa High-Level Civil Society Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Conference, scheduled for 14–17 July 2026 in Abuja, Nigeria.

The prestigious awards, to be presented under the theme “Championing Human Rights and Democratic Renewal,” seek to recognize outstanding leadership and exceptional contributions to democratic governance, human rights, digital rights, civic participation, diplomacy, sustainable development, social justice, and regional cooperation across Africa and beyond.

The HRRG Global RightsCon 2026 Awards were originally conceived as a special recognition initiative aligned with the RightsCon 2026 Summit in Lusaka, Zambia. Although the summit was subsequently cancelled, the Human Rights Reporters Ghana Board and Awards Committee resolved that the exceptional achievements of the selected honourees deserved formal recognition and therefore secured a new continental platform for the awards presentation in Abuja.

The awards will bring together an exceptional group of recipients comprising African Heads of State, senior government officials, distinguished diplomats, internationally respected legal scholars, human rights defenders, civil society leaders, development practitioners, youth advocates, and institutions whose work continues to strengthen democracy, protect civic space, promote digital rights, and advance sustainable development across the continent.

Speaking ahead of the awards ceremony, Executive Director of Human Rights Reporters Ghana, Dr. Joseph Kobla Wemakor, said the initiative seeks not only to celebrate outstanding leadership but also to reaffirm Africa’s collective commitment to justice, democratic renewal, accountable governance, and the protection of fundamental human rights.

“The HRRG Global RightsCon Awards are more than a celebration of achievement; they are a recognition of leadership rooted in integrity, courage, service, and a steadfast commitment to the public good. At a time when democratic values and civic freedoms continue to face significant challenges, it is equally important to recognize those whose work inspires hope, strengthens institutions, and advances human dignity across Africa.”

Dr. Wemakor noted that the identities of this year’s recipients will be officially unveiled during the awards presentation in Abuja, where HRRG and its partners will celebrate individuals and institutions whose contributions have had a lasting impact on governance, human rights, peacebuilding, civic engagement, and sustainable development.

The awards ceremony forms part of the official programme of the 3rd Africa High-Level Civil Society AML/CFT Conference, a major continental gathering that brings together policymakers, civil society organisations, governance experts, development practitioners, and international stakeholders to promote financial integrity, accountability, civic resilience, and democratic governance throughout Africa.

Human Rights Reporters Ghana expressed appreciation to the conference organisers and strategic partners for providing a distinguished platform to celebrate excellence in leadership and service while reinforcing shared commitments to justice, democracy, human rights, and inclusive development.

Further details, including the full list of award recipients, citations, photographs, and highlights from the ceremony, will be released immediately following the official awards presentation.

The HRRG Global RightsCon 2026 Awards reaffirm the organisation’s commitment to recognising exceptional leadership that advances democratic governance, protects fundamental rights, strengthens civic space, and promotes sustainable development across Africa.

*About Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG)*

Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG) is a leading human rights and media-focused civil society organisation committed to advancing human dignity, democratic accountability, social justice, civic participation, and sustainable development in Ghana, across Africa, and globally. Through advocacy, investigative journalism, research, capacity building, access to justice, and strategic partnerships, HRRG empowers vulnerable communities and contributes to strengthening democratic governance and inclusive development.

Notable Achievements & Recognitions

HRRG’s work has earned national and international recognition, reflecting its commitment to excellence, advocacy, and transformative impact, including:

·         Prestigious 5th UN Global Entreps Award – Best International Practice on Sustainability (Nationwide KTT Project), reaching over 60,000 beneficiaries.

·         Africa Peace Advocate Award (2023).

·         African Human Rights Defenders Shield Awards (2023 Finalist).

·         Africans Rising Activism Award – Movement of the Year (2020, 4th Place).

·         Honorary Award for Peace, Security & Education – Africa Early Childhood Education Awards (2021).

·         Listed among Ghana’s 100 Most Impactful Changemakers (2024).

·         Featured in Business Woman Club International Magazine (Ukraine, 2020) for contributions to women’s rights during the COVID-19 pandemic.

·         Recognized by the World Bank for expert contributions to the Second Edition of the Equality of Opportunity for Sexual and Gender Minorities (EQOSOGI) Report.

HRRG also convenes and 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) and has represented Ghana at major regional and international platforms, including the International Seminar on Enhancing Human Rights Activities in North Korea, the United Nations High-Level Political Forum, and the Pan-African Human Rights and Social Justice Conference.