Dr. Joseph Wemakor to champion human rights at landmark Pan-African Security conference in Kenya

Prominent Ghanaian human rights advocate and global peace ambassador, Dr. Joseph Kobla Wemakor, has been invited to deliver the Welcome Remark by CSO Representative from Ghana (representing West Africa) at the Pan-African Conference on National Security and Human Rights, scheduled to take place from August 17 to 19, 2025, at the Argyle Grand Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya.

The high-level forum is being organized by HAKI Africa under its Africa Security Sector Accountability Programme (ASSAP) and supported by the Open Society Foundations.

Background and Rationale

Across Africa, the balance between national security imperatives and human rights obligations remains a complex and evolving challenge. Governments are increasingly enacting security-driven legislation and policies particularly around cybersecurity, data protection, policing, and NGO regulation—that often undermine civic space, constrain human rights defenders, and erode democratic gains.

At the same time, African states continue to grapple with persistent issues of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests, and the excessive use of force by security actors.

This regional conference, convened by HAKI Africa under the Africa Security Sector Accountability Programme (ASSAP), a three-year continental project funded by the Open Society Foundations (OSF) aims to provide a platform for civil society leaders, policymakers, human rights institutions, academia, and regional actors to examine the impact of national security policies on human rights. It will foster collaborative strategies for advancing oversight, expanding civic space, and reinforcing democratic accountability within state security sectors across the continent.

Conference Theme

“The Conflict Between National Security Obligations and Human Rights in Africa: Towards a People-Centered Security Framework”

The event will feature keynote addresses, panel discussions, and a memorial lecture honoring George Collins Owuor, a renowned Kenyan civil society leader, change agent, governance champion, and staunch human rights activist.

Objectives of the Conference

1. To critically examine how national security policies and laws are affecting human rights across different African regions.
2. To promote regional dialogue on civic space restrictions and threats to civil society in the name of national security.
3. To share best practices on rights-based and conflict-sensitive approaches to elections, cyber laws, and NGO regulations.
4. To strengthen regional collaborations between non-state actors working on civic freedoms, justice, and state accountability.
5. To develop a Pan-African communiqué with practical recommendations on human rights-compliant security governance.

Participants

The conference is expected to bring together a broad and diverse group of stakeholders, including:
• Civil society leaders and human rights defenders from East, West, Central, North and Southern Africa
• Representatives from electoral commissions and national human rights institutions
• Members of parliament and government ministries responsible for security and justice
• Journalists and media practitioners
• Youth, Persons with Disabilities, and grassroots community organizers
• Donor and development partners

Dr. Wemakor’s Role and Contribution

Dr. Wemakor, who doubles as the Founder and Executive Director of Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG), is expected to play a significant role in the conference by delivering the Welcome Remark on behalf of civil society from Ghana and West Africa.

He will also contribute insights on balancing civic freedoms with state security measures under the central theme.

“His voice and experience will be a valuable contribution to the discussions,” stated Mathias Shipeta of HAKI Africa in the official invitation, citing Dr. Wemakor’s impactful work in promoting accountability and defending human rights across Africa’s evolving security landscape.

A Leading Voice in Civic Space Advocacy

Dr. Wemakor’s upcoming participation in the Pan-African conference follows his involvement in several key international engagements, further highlighting his rising global influence in the human rights sphere. His work with the United Nations Information Center (UNIC Accra) has further refined his expertise in international cooperation and governance.

In July 2025, he delivered a keynote address at the International Seminar on Enhancing Human Rights Activities in North Korea, held at the Marriott Hotel. The event, organized by the World Institute of Intercultural Services (WIIS) with backing from Korea’s Ministry of Unification, sought to amplify global discourse on North Korea’s human rights situation through African perspectives. Dr. Wemakor’s speech emphasized building international pressure and recommending strategic policy actions to address human rights violations.

Earlier, in August 2024, Dr. Wemakor played a key role in the launch of the Civic Space Outlook documentary at the Accra City Hotel. The event, organized by Spaces for Change with support from the Ford Foundation, highlighted the shrinking civic space in Ghana ahead of the general elections.

Decades of Activism and Global Recognition

Dr. Wemakor has built a formidable reputation as a tireless advocate for human rights, especially for vulnerable groups such as women, children, and marginalized communities. His voice has resonated on global platforms, including:
• UN High-Level Political Forum
• Pan-African Human Rights and Social Justice Conference in Nairobi
• Forums addressing COVID-19-related abuses in South Korea

He currently serves as Convener of the Youth Sub-Platform of the Ghana CSOs Platform on the SDGs, a network of over 500 civil society organizations.
The Human Rights Reporters Ghana boss was also recently appointed to a Technical Advocacy Committee for Ghana’s proposed Non-Profit Organization (NPO) Bill, which aims to regulate civil society operations and ensure legal protections for civic space.

Accolades and International Honors

Dr. Wemakor’s advocacy has earned him a host of international recognitions and awards, including:
• Prestigious UN Global Entreps Award (5th Edition)
• Africa Peace Advocate Award (2023)
• Finalist, African Human Rights Defenders Shield Award (2023)
• Fourth Place, Africans Rising Activism Award (2020)
• Honorary Award for Peace, Security, and Education (2021)
• Named one of Ghana’s 100 Most Impactful Changemakers (2024)
• Honorary Doctorate in Executive Leadership in Humanity (2024) from International Kingdom University, Florida
• Bloomberg Media Initiative Africa Fellowship
• Fellow, Fortifying the Truth Cohort (WITNESS)
• Recognized by the World Bank for contributions to the 2nd Edition of the EQOSOGI Report

His contributions to investigative journalism and media advocacy have also received widespread recognition, including:
• National Migration Media Award (2018)
• Most Influential Student Media Personnel Award, Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) (2016)
• Winner, GIJ 60th Anniversary Media Contest, for outstanding reporting on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Looking Ahead

The upcoming Pan-African Conference in Kenya is expected to yield actionable recommendations for promoting human rights within the framework of national security.

Dr. Wemakor’s participation is seen as a vital contribution to ongoing discourse around civic freedom, democratic governance, and sustainable peace across Africa.

“Africa’s future lies in building security systems that prioritize human dignity, transparency, and justice—not just state control,” Dr. Wemakor noted ahead of the conference.

His presence in Nairobi is anticipated to strengthen cross-border alliances aimed at resisting authoritarian tendencies and defending civic space throughout the continent.