Accra, Aug. 2026 – Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG) has opened opportunities for strategic partnerships and collaboration ahead of the 2027 edition of the HRRG Global RightsShield Awards.
The international honours programme was established to recognize exceptional leadership, service, and measurable contributions to human rights, democracy, justice, peace, inclusion, sustainable development, and human dignity across Africa and beyond.
The announcement follows the inaugural edition of the Awards held in Abuja, Nigeria, in July 2026.
HRRG said preparations for the 2027 edition would include broader engagement with credible organisations, institutions, civil society networks, media organisations, universities, foundations, development actors, corporate bodies, and other stakeholders across Africa and internationally.
The organisation said the partnership initiative was intended to strengthen the Awards’ international visibility, regional outreach, stakeholder participation, and overall impact.
Partnership opportunities
According to HRRG, partnership with the Global RightsShield Awards does not necessarily require financial contribution.
Potential partners may contribute through professional expertise, networks, institutional connections, nominations outreach, media visibility, technical support, knowledge exchange, stakeholder engagement, resource mobilisation, sponsorship or in-kind assistance.
HRRG has identified several potential areas of collaboration, including Strategic Partnerships, Civil Society Partnerships, Knowledge Partnerships, Institutional Partnerships, Media and Communications Partnerships, Regional and International Outreach Partnerships, and Sponsoring Partnerships.
Civil society organisations and networks may support nominations outreach and regional participation, while universities, research institutions and professional bodies may contribute knowledge, research and technical expertise.
Media and communications organisations may support publicity, storytelling, interviews and digital visibility, while regional and international outreach partners may help connect the Awards with credible stakeholders in their respective countries and regions.
Sponsoring partners may provide financial or in-kind support for specific award categories, events, production, outreach, and other agreed programme activities.
Independence of the Awards
HRRG said the expansion of partnerships would not affect the independence and integrity of the Awards.
The Global RightsShield Awards remain an initiative conceived, founded, owned, organised and administered by Human Rights Reporters Ghana.
The organisation said it would retain responsibility for the governance, administration, programme direction and integrity of the Awards.
It added that nominations, assessments, and final selections would be undertaken through an independent and transparent process guided by established governance principles, ethical standards, and merit-based evaluation criteria.
Partners may support outreach and recommend deserving individuals or institutions but would not be guaranteed an award or permitted to influence the independent selection process.
Beyond an awards ceremony
HRRG said the Global RightsShield Awards were intended to serve as more than an annual recognition programme.
The organisation envisages the initiative as a platform for recognising impact, connecting changemakers and amplifying positive contributions to society.
Through wider partnerships, HRRG hopes to facilitate cross-border networking, knowledge exchange, stakeholder engagement and greater recognition for individuals and institutions contributing to human rights and positive social transformation.
The organisation is particularly interested in partners who can contribute networks, expertise, regional reach, institutional connections, visibility, technical support, resource mobilisation, sponsorship or other meaningful forms of collaboration.
HRRG said partnership arrangements would be discussed individually based on the prospective partner’s interests, capacity, geographical reach, and area of expertise.
About HRRG
Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG) is a leading media advocacy and human rights non-governmental organization committed to advancing human dignity, democratic accountability, social justice, civic participation, environmental sustainability, media freedom, and sustainable development.
Through advocacy, investigative journalism, research, public education, capacity building, policy engagement, and strategic partnerships, HRRG works to amplify the voices of vulnerable and marginalised populations while promoting accountability, transparency, inclusion, and democratic governance across Ghana, Africa, and beyond.
HRRG’s work has received national and international recognition, including the prestigious 5th United Nations Global Entreps Award for Best International Practice on Sustainability through its nationwide KTT Project, the Africa Peace Advocate Award (2023), recognition as a finalist in the African Human Rights Defenders Shield Awards (2023), and inclusion among Ghana’s 100 Most Impactful Changemakers (2024).
The organisation also convenes and supports more than 500 civil society organisations through its leadership of the Youth Sub-Platform of the Ghana Civil Society Organizations Platform on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
By Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG)
Contact:
Dr. Joseph Kobla Wemakor
Executive Director, Human Rights Reporters Ghana
Email: hrrghana@gmail.com
Website: humanrightsreportersgh.org
