President John Dramani Mahama has been honoured with the African Statesmanship & Democratic Renewal Award at the inaugural HRRG Global RightsCon Awards for his contribution to democratic governance, inclusive development, regional cooperation and public service.
The award was presented by Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG) in collaboration with its global partners and stakeholders during the official unveiling and maiden presentation of the HRRG Global RightsCon Awards held on July 14, 2026, at the Abuja Continental Hotel in Abuja, Nigeria.
The ceremony formed part of the 3rd Africa High-Level Civil Society Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Conference 2026, which brought together government officials, civil society organisations and development stakeholders from across Africa.
HRRG also acknowledged Spaces for Change, West Africa, Civic Advisory Hub (CAH) and their partners for providing the platform that hosted the official unveiling and inaugural presentation of the HRRG Global RightsCon Awards during the continental conference.
According to HRRG, President Mahama was recognised for his commitment to strengthening democratic institutions, promoting civic participation, supporting peaceful democratic transitions and advancing regional cooperation and sustainable development across the continent.
Speaking at the ceremony, Founder and Executive Director of Human Rights Reporters Ghana, Dr Joseph Kobla Wemakor, said the awards were instituted to honour leaders, institutions and advocates whose work continues to strengthen democracy, promote human rights, protect civic freedoms and support sustainable development.
“President John Dramani Mahama represents the importance of democratic leadership, inclusive governance and regional solidarity. Through this honour, we recognise not only his service to Ghana but also his contribution to advancing democratic values and cooperation across Africa and beyond,” Dr Wemakor said.
He added that the recognition also highlights leadership founded on transparency, accountability, dialogue, peaceful democratic transitions and social development.
President Mahama, who could not attend the ceremony because of official engagements, was represented by Mrs Jennifer Y. Annor-Tettey, Counsellor/Consular Affairs at the Ghana High Commission in Nigeria, who received the award on his behalf.
Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, was also honoured with the African Diplomacy & Global Solidarity Award for Sustainable Development.
The inaugural ceremony recognised recipients under three of the seven award categories: the Special Pan-African Leadership Award, Sanitation & Sustainable Cities Leadership Award, and the Civic Space & Social Justice Leadership Award.
Other personalities honoured included President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria, recipient of the African Democratic Leadership & Regional Integration Award, and renowned Kenyan legal scholar and Pan-Africanist Professor Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba (PLO Lumumba), whose Pan-African Legal Thought & Moral Leadership Award was received on his behalf by Ambassador Aliyu Suleiman.
The ceremony also recognised Ms Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri, Executive Director of Spaces for Change, West Africa, who personally received the Civic Space & Social Justice Leadership Award for her contribution to protecting civic space, promoting social justice and strengthening inclusive democratic participation.
Award recipients and their designated representatives received customised plaques, A3 Citations of Honour and official award booklets documenting the achievements of the inaugural honourees.
Other recipients included Access Now and the RightsCon Global Team for advancing digital rights and internet freedom; Ing. Dr George Asiedu for sanitation and sustainable development leadership; Hon. Alfredos Nii Anyetei for local governance and community transformation; Joshua Elikplim Adjei for emerging human rights leadership and youth advocacy; and Eminence Lead International for leadership development and social transformation.
HRRG explained that the Global RightsCon Awards were originally conceived as a recognition initiative alongside the RightsCon 2026 Summit in Lusaka, Zambia. Following the summit’s cancellation, the organisation’s Board of Directors and Awards Committee resolved to proceed with the awards in Abuja to ensure that the inaugural honourees received international recognition for their contributions.
The organisation said it intends to institutionalise the HRRG Global RightsCon Awards as a global honours programme celebrating outstanding leadership, democratic governance, human rights, civic freedoms and sustainable development.
With this recognition, President Mahama joins the inaugural class of African and international personalities honoured for their contributions to governance, diplomacy, human rights, civic leadership and sustainable development.
