Dr. Joseph Wemakor to champion human rights at global seminar on North Korea

Founder and Executive Director of Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG), Dr. Joseph Kobla Wemakor is set to deliver a keynote speech at the upcoming International Seminar on Enhancing Human Rights Activities in North Korea.

The event will take place on July 18, 2025, at the Marriott Hotel in Accra.

The seminar is being organized by the World Institute of Intercultural Services (WIIS), with backing from South Korea’s Ministry of Unification.

It seeks to strengthen global conversations on human rights violations in North Korea, while uniquely integrating African viewpoints into the discourse.

Dr. Wemakor’s keynote is scheduled under the session titled “Promoting International Pressure and Policy Recommendations.”

His presentation will propose strategic, practical measures to boost global and African solidarity in addressing the human rights crisis in North Korea.

His involvement signals his growing influence as a respected international voice in human rights advocacy.

Known for his impactful work in rallying global support around pressing human rights issues, Dr. Wemakor brings significant experience to the table.

A renowned Ghanaian human rights activist and journalist, Dr. Wemakor has dedicated his career to championing the rights of women, children, and marginalized groups.

Through HRRG, he leads a vibrant civil society organization that partners with lawyers, journalists, and activists to drive progress toward achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

His advocacy has reached national, regional, and global platforms, where he is widely acknowledged as a dynamic speaker and unwavering defender of human rights. Over the years, he has shared insights at high-profile conferences, workshops, and seminars around the world.

Among the notable events he has participated in are the International Seminar on South Korea: COVID-19 and Human Rights Abuses, the Pan African Human Rights and Social Justice Conference in Nairobi, Kenya, and the 2020 UN High-Level Political Forum.

Dr. Wemakor’s contributions continue to shape international discussions on justice and equality. Domestically, he plays a key role as Convener of the Youth Sub-Platform of the Ghana CSOs Platform on SDGs, and serves on its Steering Committee.

This network of over 500 civil society organizations, formed in October 2015, is focused on supporting Ghana’s SDG agenda.

Through the Youth Sub-Platform, which he actively leads, Dr. Wemakor works to enhance youth participation, increase awareness of the SDGs, and promote inclusive development across communities.

In a significant development in February 2025, he was appointed to the Technical Advocacy Committee for Ghana’s Non-Profit Organization (NPO) Bill an initiative launched during CSOs Zonal Consultations in Accra.

His leadership in this process reflects a strong commitment to reforming civil society laws to support sustainable development goals.

Dr. Wemakor’s collaboration with the United Nations Information Center (UNIC) in Accra has further deepened his expertise in global governance and multilateral cooperation.

In 2020, he led a high-impact media campaign through HRRG to expose human rights violations in South Korea during the COVID-19 crisis.

The campaign highlighted over 5,500 reported abuses, including the unjust detention of Mr. Lee Man-hee, founder of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus Christ, and the targeting of over 220,000 church members globally.

This advocacy effort mobilized civil society groups, journalists, the UN, and various international actors, ultimately playing a role in Mr. Lee’s release and earning HRRG global praise.

Beyond specific campaigns, Dr. Wemakor is globally recognized for advancing gender equality and social justice.

His work has earned him features in International Business Woman Magazine (October 2020), as well as prestigious honors such as the 5th UN Global Entreps Award, the Africa Peace Advocate Award (2023), and inclusion in Ghana’s 100 Most Impactful Changemakers (2024).

He was also a finalist for the African Human Rights Defenders Shield Award, ranked fourth in the Africans Rising Activism Award (2020), and was awarded an Honorary Award for Peace, Security, and Education in 2021.

As a journalist, he has garnered numerous accolades, including the GIJ Most Influential Student Media Personnel Award (2016), the National Migration Media Award (2018), and recognition in the GIJ 60th Anniversary Media Contest for his work on SDG reporting.

His involvement in key publications, such as the World Bank’s second edition of the Equality of Opportunity for Sexual and Gender Minorities (EQOSOGI) Report, reinforces his dedication to equity and human rights.

In 2024, he earned a Doctorate in Executive Leadership in Humanity (DEL) from International Kingdom University in Florida, and received the Global Doctoral Humanitarian and Ministerial Excellence Award.

He is also a fellow of the WITNESS “Fortifying the Truth” Cohort and a participant in the Bloomberg Media Initiative’s Africa Financial Journalism Program.

The forthcoming WIIS seminar will host a lineup of prominent speakers, panel discussions, and collaborative workshops designed to enhance international engagement. Professor Park Hung Kook, CEO of WIIS, will open the event with a presentation titled “Exposing the State of Human Rights Abuses in North Korea.”

Additionally, former South Korean UN ambassador and North Korean defector Ms. Kim Bomin will offer compelling testimony and analysis.

Dr. Wemakor’s address will draw from both his advocacy experience in South Korea and his extensive work within Africa’s human rights landscape.

His remarks aim to expand the global dialogue on justice, emphasizing the need for unified international efforts.

Ultimately, his participation underscores the increasing influence of African voices in global human rights advocacy, linking his fight for justice with the broader pursuit of sustainable development on the continent and around the world.