Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG) has launched the inaugural HRRG Global RightsCon Awards, recognising African leaders, institutions and human rights advocates for their contributions to democratic governance, human rights, digital rights and sustainable development.
The awards were unveiled on Tuesday during the 3rd Africa High-Level Civil Society Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Conference 2026 at the Abuja Continental Hotel in Nigeria. The event formed part of activities under the conference theme, “Championing Human Rights and Democratic Renewal.”
According to HRRG, the awards programme was established to recognise individuals and institutions whose work has contributed to advancing human rights, democratic governance, digital inclusion, civic participation and sustainable development across Africa and beyond.
The organisation said the initiative was originally planned to coincide with the RightsCon 2026 Summit in Lusaka, Zambia. However, following the cancellation of the summit, HRRG’s Board of Directors and Awards Committee decided to proceed with the awards and selected the Abuja conference as the venue for their official launch.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Joseph Kobla Wemakor, Founder and Executive Director of HRRG, said the awards sought to establish a global platform for recognising leadership and service in human rights and democratic governance.
He said the initiative was intended to celebrate individuals and organisations whose work had demonstrated courage, integrity and measurable impact while inspiring others to contribute to justice, accountability and sustainable development.
Recipients of the inaugural awards included President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria, who received the African Democratic Leadership and Regional Integration Award, and President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana, who was honoured with the African Statesmanship and Democratic Renewal Award.
Kenyan legal scholar and Pan-Africanist Professor Patrick Loch Otieno (PLO) Lumumba received the Pan-African Legal Thought and Moral Leadership Award, while Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, received the African Diplomacy and Global Solidarity Award for Sustainable Development.
HRRG also recognised Access Now and the RightsCon Global Team for their contribution to promoting digital rights, internet freedom and the protection of human rights in the digital space.
Other recipients included Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri, Founder and Executive Director of Spaces for Change; Ing. Dr. George Asiedu, Project Coordinator of the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area Sanitation and Water Project; Hon. Alfredos Nii Anyetei, Municipal Chief Executive of the La Dade-Kotopon Municipal Assembly; Joshua Elikplim Adjei, Programme Officer at Human Rights Reporters Ghana; and Eminence Lead International, a Ghana-based non-profit organisation.
HRRG said all award recipients were selected through an independent assessment by its Board and Awards Committee based on leadership, integrity, measurable impact and contributions within their respective fields.
Dr. Wemakor expressed appreciation to Spaces for Change, Civic Advisory Hub, organisers of the Africa High-Level Civil Society AML/CFT Conference, members of the HRRG Board and Awards Committee, development partners and collaborating institutions for supporting the launch of the awards.
He said HRRG would continue to develop the Global RightsCon Awards as an international recognition platform for individuals and institutions contributing to human rights, democratic governance and sustainable development.
The HRRG Global RightsCon Awards were officially launched in Abuja on July 14, 2026, as the organisation’s flagship international honours programme. According to HRRG, the initiative seeks to recognise leadership that promotes human dignity, democratic values and sustainable development across Africa and the international community.
