Tinubu, Mahama,PLOLumumba,Ablakwa,AccessNowandGlobalRights Champions Honoured as HRRG Officially Unveils Inaugural Global RightsCon Awards in Abuja

A distinguished gathering of African leaders, diplomats, legal scholars, human rights defenders, civil society actors and development champions converged in Abuja, Nigeria, as Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG) in collaboration with its global partners and stakeholders, unveiled the inaugural HRRG Global RightsCon Awards and conferred honours on exceptional personalities and institutions whose leadership continues to shape the future of democracy, human rights and sustainable development across Africa and beyond.

The prestigious unveiling and honours presentation were hosted as a featured highlight of the 3rd Africa High-Level Civil Society Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Conference 2026, held at the Abuja Continental Hotel, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria, under the theme “Championing Human Rights and Democratic Renewal.”

The historic occasion marked a defining milestone in HRRG’s institutional growth, as the organisation formally launched the HRRG Global RightsCon Awards as its flagship global honours programme dedicated to recognising exceptional leadership, courage, innovation and transformative contributions to advancing human rights, democratic governance, digital freedoms, civic participation, social justice and sustainable development across Africa and beyond.

The landmark ceremony brought together policymakers, diplomats, government officials, legal scholars, civil society leaders, governance experts, development partners and international stakeholders to witness the birth of a new global recognition platform designed to celebrate individuals and institutions whose leadership reflects integrity, accountability, service and an unwavering commitment to human dignity.

The HRRG Global RightsCon Awards were originally conceived as a special recognition initiative aligned with RightsCon 2026 in Lusaka, Zambia—the world’s leading summit on human rights in the digital age. The awards were intended to recognise remarkable leaders and institutions advancing human rights protection, democratic governance, digital freedoms, civic participation and sustainable development on a global scale.

Although the RightsCon 2026 Summit was subsequently cancelled, HRRG’s Board of Directors and Awards Committee resolved that the outstanding achievements of the selected honourees deserved formal recognition.

Consequently, HRRG selected the 3rd Africa High-Level Civil Society AML/CFT Conference 2026 as the ideal platform to officially unveil the HRRG Global RightsCon Awards and present the inaugural honours before an audience of distinguished African and international leaders committed to promoting accountability, democratic governance, justice and civic resilience.

Delivering the keynote remarks during the unveiling ceremony, the Founder and Executive Director of Human Rights Reporters Ghana, Dr. Joseph Kobla Wemakor, described the awards as more than a celebration of achievement, but the beginning of an enduring global recognition platform that will honour principled leadership and transformative impact for generations to come.

“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.”

Dr. Wemakor said the HRRG Global RightsCon Awards reflect the organisation’s and partners commitment to ensuring that exceptional contributions to human rights, democratic governance and sustainable development are identified, documented and celebrated at the highest level.

“Across Africa and the wider world, human rights defenders continue to operate under increasing pressure. Journalists risk their lives to speak truth to power. Civil society organisations work tirelessly to defend civic space, while vulnerable and marginalised communities continue their struggle for dignity, equality and justice. In such times, we must not only confront injustice—we must also celebrate those whose leadership continues to inspire hope and transform lives.”

He further noted that recognising exemplary leadership is essential to strengthening democratic institutions, encouraging ethical public service and inspiring the next generation of leaders to pursue justice, accountability and inclusive development.

A Distinguished Class of HRRG Global RightsCon 2026 Honourees

The inaugural class of HRRG Global RightsCon 2026 honourees represents an exceptional blend of Heads of State, senior government officials, internationally acclaimed legal scholars, diplomats, civil society leaders, development practitioners, institutions and emerging young leaders whose contributions continue to influence policy, strengthen democratic governance and improve lives across Africa and the wider global community.

The inaugural honours recognised distinguished individuals and institutions whose exceptional leadership and measurable impact exemplified the values of courage, integrity, innovation, public service and unwavering commitment to advancing human rights and sustainable development.

All recipients were selected by the HRRG Board and Awards Committee through an independent assessment process based on demonstrated leadership, measurable impact, integrity and outstanding contributions within their respective fields. Where nominees had professional affiliations with HRRG, they were assessed under the same criteria as all other nominees and were excluded from any participation in deliberations relating to their own nominations.

Among those honoured were:

• His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who received the African Democratic Leadership & Regional Integration Award in recognition of his leadership in democratic governance, regional cooperation and advancing Africa’s strategic interests.

• His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, who received the African Statesmanship & Democratic Renewal Award for his enduring commitment to democratic values, inclusive development and regional collaboration.

• Professor Patrick Loch Otieno (PLO) Lumumba distinguished Kenyan legal scholar, renowned PanAfricanist and public intellectual, who received the Pan-African Legal Thought & Moral Leadership Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to constitutionalism, legal scholarship, ethical leadership and the promotion of African unity.

• Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, who received the African Diplomacy & Global Solidarity Award for Sustainable Development in recognition of his contribution to diplomacy, international cooperation and amplifying Africa’s voice on global issues.

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, while strengthening international collaboration around technology, civic freedoms and digital inclusion.

Other distinguished honourees included:

• Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri, Founder and Executive Director of Spaces for Change (S4C), who was recognised for her exceptional contribution to civic space protection, social justice advocacy, public interest research and strengthening citizen participation in governance processes across Africa. Through her leadership, Spaces for Change has significantly advanced accountability, inclusive governance and citizencentered policy reforms.

• Ing. Dr. George Asiedu, Project Coordinator of the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area Sanitation and Water Project (GAMA SWP), who was honoured for his outstanding leadership in promoting sustainable development, innovative solutions, infrastructure advancement, environmental responsibility and community-focused initiatives that continue to contribute to inclusive growth and social transformation.

• Hon. Alfredos Nii Anyetei, Municipal Chief Executive of the La Dade-Kotopon Municipal Assembly (LaDMA), who received the Local Governance & Community Transformation Excellence Award in recognition of his visionary and transformative leadership in local governance, steadfast commitment to community development and implementation of innovative policies that improve the lives of citizens. His leadership has strengthened civic engagement, promoted inclusive decision-making and advanced sustainable local development, setting a benchmark for community-centered governance in Ghana and across Africa.

• Joshua Elikplim Adjei, an emerging human rights advocate and youth leader, received the Emerging Human Rights Leadership & Youth Advocacy Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to human rights advocacy, youth empowerment, civic education and community mobilisation. His dedication to empowering young people, advancing civic participation and promoting community engagement reflects the promise of a new generation of leaders committed to justice, democratic values and inclusive development across Africa. He currently serves as Programme Officer at Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG).

• Eminence Lead International, a dynamic Ghana-based Non-Profit Organization, which was recognised for its commitment to leadership development, empowerment initiatives, human capital advancement and programmes that promote social transformation and sustainable community impact.

Together, the inaugural honourees represent a distinguished community of leaders and institutions whose courage, innovation, service and commitment to human dignity continue to inspire transformative change across Africa and beyond.

Dr. Wemakor expressed profound appreciation to Spaces for Change (S4C), Civic Advisory Hub (CAH), the organisers of the 3rd Africa High-Level Civil Society Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Conference 2026, development partners, members of the HRRG Board and Awards Committee, collaborating institutions, and all stakeholders whose support contributed to the successful unveiling and presentation of the inaugural HRRG Global RightsCon Awards.

He reaffirmed HRRG’s unwavering commitment to Institutionalising the HRRG Global RightsCon Awards as one of the world’s leading recognition platforms dedicated to celebrating transformational leadership, protecting civic freedoms, promoting democratic governance and inspiring a new generation of changemakers committed to advancing human dignity across the globe.

“The defence of human rights and civic freedoms is not the responsibility of a few—it is a shared responsibility that demands courage, integrity, collaboration and collective action across borders.

Through the HRRG Global RightsCon Awards, we seek not only to celebrate excellence but also to inspire a global movement of leaders whose actions continue to strengthen democracy, justice and sustainable development for present and future generations,” Dr. Wemakor said.

About the HRRG Global RightsCon Awards

The HRRG Global RightsCon Awards are the flagship global honours programme of Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG) and global partners, officially launched in Abuja, Nigeria, on July 14, 2026.

Established to recognise exceptional leadership and transformative contributions in human rights, democratic governance, digital rights, civic leadership, diplomacy and sustainable development, the awards celebrate individuals and institutions whose work strengthens democratic institutions, promotes justice, protects civic freedoms and improves lives across Africa and beyond.

The awards programme is implemented in collaboration with strategic partners and stakeholders committed to advancing human rights, democratic governance, digital inclusion and sustainable development worldwide.

The HRRG Global RightsCon Awards serve as a premier global recognition platform honouring individuals and institutions whose courage, innovation, integrity and unwavering commitment continue to advance human dignity, democratic values and sustainable development around the world.

About Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG)

Founded in 2019, Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG) is an award-winning, youth-led human rights and media-focused civil society organisation dedicated to advancing human dignity, democratic accountability, social justice, civic participation and sustainable development through advocacy, investigative journalism, policy engagement, research, capacity building, access to justice and strategic partnerships.

Over the years, HRRG has earned national and international recognition for its innovative human rights and sustainable development initiatives, including the 5th United Nations Global Entreps Award for Best International Practice on Sustainability, the Africa Peace Advocate Award, recognition among Ghana’s 100 Most Impactful Changemakers, and acknowledgement by the World Bank for contributing expert insights to the Equality of Opportunity for Sexual and Gender Minorities (EQOSOGI) Report.

The organisation 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), while actively representing Ghana at regional and international platforms advancing human rights, democratic governance, digital rights, civic participation and sustainable development.

As HRRGcontinues to expand its global partnerships and advocacy footprint, the organisation remains committed to amplifying the voices of vulnerable communities, strengthening democratic institutions, promoting accountability and celebrating individuals and institutions whose leadership inspires meaningful and lasting social change.