Dr. Joseph Wemakor Honored at Landmark UN@80 Conference

The International Youth Network for UN Security Council Resolution 2250 (IYNUNSCR) has commended the exceptional achievements of Dr. Joseph Kobla Wemakor for his decade-long leadership in advancing youth participation, child protection, and equitable community development.

The recognition took place during the landmark National Civil Society Conference held at the UPSA Auditorium in Accra, organized in commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the United Nations (UN@80) and the 2025 International Human Rights Day.

The high-level gathering brought together diplomats, civil society leaders, women’s rights advocates, academics, and youth organizations, underscoring the indispensable role of civic actors in promoting accountability, inclusion, and human dignity.

Dr. Wemakor is a distinguished Ghanaian human rights advocate, peace ambassador, journalist, and development communicator, and the Founder and Executive Director of Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG). Through HRRG, he has consistently championed the rights and welfare of vulnerable populations—particularly women, children, youth, and marginalized rural communities.

Over the past ten years, Dr. Wemakor has spearheaded transformative initiatives addressing equitable land access, environmental protection, sustainable agricultural practices, child protection, women’s empowerment, gender equality, and broader human rights advocacy.

These interventions have laid a strong foundation for resilient, inclusive communities and sustainable poverty reduction across Ghana.

During the award ceremony, Her Excellency Rev. Dr. Lilian Sally Addo, Commander of the Most Noble Order of Global Peace Ambassador and a leading figure within IYNUNSCR, presented an Equator 4000 Professional Hair Dryer to Dr. Wemakor.

The item, handed over by Ambassador Chief Jihad, President and Founder of the Chief Jihad Foundation, was intended to support a vulnerable young woman who has completed her hairdressing apprenticeship but lacks the essential equipment needed to earn a sustainable livelihood.

While reading Dr. Wemakor’s biography, H.E. Rev. Dr. Addo praised his unwavering leadership in promoting human rights, safeguarding vulnerable populations, advancing gender equality, and championing girls’ and women’s empowerment. She emphasized that his work amplifies marginalized voices and strengthens participatory decision-making at the grassroots level.

In his response, Dr. Wemakor pledged to personally visit a community, identify a deserving young woman, and donate the hair dryer to support her journey toward economic independence. “This recognition goes beyond symbolism; it is about restoring dignity and opportunity,” he stated.

As the keynote speaker, Dr. Wemakor delivered a compelling address on “Youth Engagement in Advancing Human Rights and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”, stressing that meaningful youth participation is indispensable to national development.

Speaking as Convener of the Youth Sub-Platform of the Ghana CSOs Platform on SDGs, which represents over 500 civil society organizations, he highlighted key challenges confronting Ghanaian youth, including limited inclusion in policymaking, unemployment, digital misinformation, and vulnerability to social vices.

He further spotlighted HRRG’s Nationwide Sensitization Campaign on Kidnapping, Teenage Pregnancy, and Tramadol/Drug Abuse (KTT Project), which has reached and educated over 60,000 Ghanaians on critical issues related to human rights, public safety, and social protection.

“Young people are not merely beneficiaries of policy—they are key agents of change,” Dr. Wemakor emphasized. “When youth, especially young women and girls, are empowered and protected, societies become more just, resilient, and prosperous.”

Dr. Wemakor continues to play a pivotal role in Ghana’s civil society and governance landscape. He serves as a member of the Steering Committee of the Ghana CSOs Platform on SDGs, Convener of its Youth Sub-Platform, and a member of the Advocacy Technical Committee for Ghana’s draft Non-Profit Organization (NPO) Bill, contributing to reforms aimed at safeguarding civic space and strengthening civil society operations.

A respected thought leader and international speaker, Dr. Wemakor has represented Ghana at numerous high-level global and continental forums. These include the United Nations High-Level Political Forum, the Pan-African Human Rights and Social Justice Conference, the International Seminar on Enhancing Human Rights Activities in North Korea (July 2025, Accra), the Pan-African Conference on National Security and Human Rights (August 2025, Nairobi, Kenya), the Launch of Ghana’s Civic Space Outlook Documentary (August 2024), the South Korea COVID-19 Human Rights Forums, and the High-Level Africa Civil Society AML/CFT Conference 2025 in Gaborone, Botswana, where he received certification for his participation.

He also served as Special Guest of Honor at the Farmers Care Program in Yilo Krobo, Somanya, delivering expert insights on land rights and agricultural laws.

Dr. Wemakor’s contributions have earned both national and international acclaim.

He was named among the 100 Most Impactful Changemakers in Ghana (2024), received the prestigious UN Global Entreps Award—the only Ghanaian awardee in West Africa—the Africa Peace Advocate Award (2023), and was a finalist for the African Human Rights Defenders Shield Award (2023).

His work in advancing gender equality has also been recognized by the I Believe Global Women’s Empowerment Foundation.

In journalism and development communication, he has received the National Migration Media Award (2018), recognition in the Ghana Institute of Journalism 60th Anniversary Media Contest, and international commendation from International Business Woman Magazine (Ukraine) for promoting women’s rights in the post-COVID-19 era.

He also contributed to the World Bank’s Second Edition of the EQOSOGI Report, reflecting his sustained commitment to social justice and equality.

Dr. Wemakor holds a Doctorate in Executive Leadership in Humanity (DEL) from International Kingdom University, Florida, USA.

He is an honorary graduate of the Ghana Institute of Journalism, a Fellow of the Fortifying the Truth Cohort by WITNESS, and a participant in the Bloomberg Media Initiative Africa Financial Journalism Program.

The conference concluded with a unified call for stronger collaboration among civil society, government, and global partners to advance human dignity, gender justice, youth leadership, and sustainable development.

Dr. Wemakor’s recognition stands as a powerful testament to principled leadership, grassroots empowerment, and transformative advocacy—ensuring that every Ghanaian, especially women, youth, and rural communities, can thrive with dignity, opportunity, and hope.