President John Dramani Mahama has been honoured with the African Statesmanship & Democratic Renewal Award at the inaugural HRRG Global RightsCon Awards, in recognition of his contribution to democratic governance, inclusive development, regional cooperation and public service across Africa.
The award was presented by Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG) in collaboration with its global partners and stakeholders during the official unveiling and inaugural presentation ceremony of the HRRG Global RightsCon Awards held on July 14, 2026, at the Abuja Continental Hotel in Abuja, Nigeria.
The event 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 leaders, development partners and governance experts from across Africa.
According to HRRG, President Mahama was recognised for his efforts to strengthen democratic institutions, promote civic participation, support peaceful democratic transitions and advance regional cooperation and sustainable development on the continent.
Presenting the award, Founder and Executive Director of Human Rights Reporters Ghana, Dr Joseph Kobla Wemakor, said the HRRG Global RightsCon Awards were established to honour leaders and institutions whose work continues to strengthen democracy, protect civic freedoms, advance human rights and promote 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 award also recognises leadership anchored in transparency, accountability, dialogue, peaceful democratic transitions and social development.
President Mahama was unable to attend the ceremony due to official engagements. The award was received on his behalf by Mrs. Jennifer Y. Annor-Tettey, Counsellor/Consular Affairs at the Ghana High Commission in Nigeria.
Mrs. Annor-Tettey also received the African Diplomacy & Global Solidarity Award for Sustainable Development on behalf of Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who was also unable to attend the event.
Another highlight of the ceremony was the recognition of renowned Kenyan legal scholar and Pan-Africanist Professor Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba, whose Pan-African Legal Thought & Moral Leadership Award was received on his behalf by Ambassador Aliyu Suleiman of the Nigeria Chapter of the PLO Lumumba Foundation.
Also honoured in person was Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri, Executive Director of Spaces for Change, West Africa, who received the Civic Space & Social Justice Leadership Award for her contribution to protecting civic space, advancing social justice and promoting inclusive democratic participation.
Recipients and their designated representatives received customised award plaques, Citations of Honour and official award booklets documenting the achievements of the inaugural honourees.
The ceremony recognised recipients under three of the seven award categories introduced by HRRG: the Special Pan-African Leadership Award, the Sanitation & Sustainable Cities Leadership Award, and the Civic Space & Social Justice Leadership Award.
The organisation said the remaining categories are the Local Governance & Community Transformation Leadership Award, Emerging Human Rights Leadership & Youth Advocacy Award, Global Digital Rights Leadership Award, and the African Civil Society Leadership & Sustainable Development Excellence Award.
Other personalities recognised during the inaugural awards included President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria, recipient of the African Democratic Leadership & Regional Integration Award; Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, recipient of the African Diplomacy & Global Solidarity Award for Sustainable Development; and Professor Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba, recipient of the Pan-African Legal Thought & Moral Leadership Award.
Additional 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 said the Global RightsCon Awards were originally conceived as a recognition initiative to coincide with the RightsCon 2026 Summit in Lusaka, Zambia. However, following the cancellation of the summit, the organisation’s Board of Directors and Awards Committee resolved to proceed with the awards to formally recognise the contributions of the inaugural honourees.
The organisation said it intends to institutionalise the HRRG Global RightsCon Awards as an international honours platform celebrating individuals and institutions whose leadership advances democratic governance, protects civic freedoms, promotes human rights and contributes to sustainable development across Africa and beyond.
