Ghanaian Human Rights Champion Dr. Wemakor Headlines UN@80 Civil Society Event

Ghanaian human rights advocate and development communicator Dr. Joseph Kobla Wemakor is set to headline the UN@80 National Civil Society Conference in Accra this Wednesday, December 10, delivering a keynote on “Youth Engagement in Advancing Human Rights and the SDGs.”

The conference, taking place at the UPSA Auditorium, is part of global celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the United Nations and UN Human Rights Day 2025.

Organized by the Coalition of NGOs Associated with the UN Department of Global Communications (DGC) Ghana, the event will bring together civil society leaders, government officials, youth representatives, international partners, and media professionals to reflect on eight decades of the UN’s work and chart a course for inclusive human rights advocacy in Ghana.

Dr. Wemakor, who serves as Executive Director of Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG) and Convener of the Ghana CSOs Platform on SDGs (Youth), has spent over a decade championing the rights of marginalized populations.

Through HRRG, he has led initiatives addressing gender-based violence, child protection, and the rights of women, persons with disabilities, minority communities, and other vulnerable groups.

His advocacy empowers these communities to understand and claim their rights, access justice, and participate meaningfully in decisions that shape their lives, fostering a society where all individuals can live with dignity and protection under the law.

Beyond grassroots work, Dr. Wemakor is a strategic leader in Ghana’s civil society landscape. He sits on the Steering Committee of the Ghana CSOs Platform on SDGs, leads its Youth Sub-Platform representing over 500 organizations, and serves on the Advocacy Technical Committee for Ghana’s draft Non-Profit Organization (NPO) Bill, contributing to reforms that safeguard civic space and strengthen NGO operations.

His influence extends internationally. Dr. Wemakor has represented Ghana at high-level forums including the United Nations High-Level Political Forum, the Pan-African Human Rights and Social Justice Conference, and the Africa Civil Society AML/CFT Conference in Botswana.

In 2025, he was Special Guest of Honor at the Farmers Care Program in Yilo Krobo, delivering a keynote on human rights, civic engagement, and protection of vulnerable communities.

He also contributed as a speaker at the West Africa Civil Society Week, sharing insights on youth engagement and rights-based advocacy.

Dr. Wemakor’s work has earned him national and international recognition. He is the recipient of the UN Global Entreps Award, the Africa Peace Advocate Award (2023), and was a finalist for the African Human Rights Defenders Shield Award (2023).

He has also been honored for his journalism, including the National Migration Media Award (2018), recognition by the Ghana Institute of Journalism, and most recently, as one of Ghana’s 100 Most Impactful Change Makers for 2024.

At the UN@80 conference, Dr. Wemakor will highlight the critical role of youth in advancing human rights and the SDGs, while inspiring action to empower women, children, persons with disabilities, minority groups, and other marginalized populations.

As Ghana joins the world in celebrating eight decades of the United Nations, Dr. Joseph Kobla Wemakor stands as a central voice, emphasizing inclusive participation, youth leadership, and civil society’s vital role in building a just and equitable society.