Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG) proudly presents the distinguished leaders, institutions, and changemakers honoured during the inaugural edition of its flagship international awards programme, originally launched as the HRRG Global RightsCon Awards and now officially rebranded as the HRRG Global RightsShield Awards.
The inaugural edition marked a historic milestone in HRRG’s mission to celebrate exceptional leadership, integrity, innovation, and dedicated service to humanity.
It recognized outstanding individuals and institutions whose work has advanced human rights, democratic governance, diplomacy, civic participation, digital rights, public service, sustainable development, and community transformation across Africa and beyond.
While the awards programme has since adopted the name HRRG Global RightsShield Awards as part of its long-term strategic evolution, all honours conferred upon the inaugural recipients remain fully valid and unchanged. The rebranding reinforces the programme’s distinctive and independent global identity while preserving the legacy, prestige, and historical significance of its first-ever honourees.
Category 1: Special Pan-African Leadership
H.E. John Dramani Mahama
President of the Republic of Ghana
Award: African Statesmanship & Democratic Renewal Award
Honoured for visionary statesmanship and an enduring commitment to democratic governance, ethical leadership, regional cooperation, peacebuilding, and sustainable development across Africa.
H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Award: African Democratic Leadership & Regional Integration Award
Recognised for distinguished leadership in strengthening democratic governance, promoting regional integration, advancing economic development, and amplifying Africa’s voice in continental and global affairs.
Professor Patrick Loch Otieno (PLO) Lumumba
Kenyan Legal Scholar, Orator and Pan-Africanist
Award: Pan-African Legal Thought & Moral Leadership Award
Honoured for exceptional intellectual leadership and unwavering advocacy for constitutionalism, ethical governance, Pan-African unity, justice, and principled public leadership.
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Ghana
Award: African Diplomacy & Global Solidarity Award for Sustainable Development
Recognized for transformative leadership in diplomacy, multilateral engagement, human rights-centered foreign policy, and sustainable development.
Category 2: Sanitation & Sustainable Cities Leadership
Ing. Dr. George Asiedu
Coordinator, Greater Accra Metropolitan Area Sanitation and Water Project (GAMA SWP)
Award: Sanitation & Sustainable Cities Leadership Award
Recognised for outstanding leadership in public health, urban sanitation, water accessibility, and sustainable city development.
Category 3: Civic Space & Social Justice Leadership
Ms. Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri
Executive Director, Spaces for Change, West Africa
Award: Civic Space & Social Justice Advocacy Award
Honoured for advancing civic freedoms, social justice, gender equality, disability inclusion, and the protection of civic space across Africa.
Category 4: Global Digital Rights Leadership
Access Now & RightsCon Global Team
International Digital Rights Organization
Award: RightsCon Global Convening & Movement-Building Excellence Award
Recognised for outstanding global leadership in advancing digital rights, internet freedom, technology accountability, civic space, and the protection of human rights in the digital age.
Category 5: African Civil Society & Sustainable Development Leadership
Eminence Lead International LBG
Award: Civil Society Excellence & Inclusive Development Impact Award
Recognized for exemplary leadership in promoting women’s economic empowerment, quality education, sustainable agriculture, gender equality, and inclusive community development.
Category 6: Emerging Human Rights Leadership & Youth Advocacy
Joshua Elikplim Adjei
Programme Officer, HRR Ghana
Award: Emerging Human Rights Leadership & Youth Advocacy Excellence Award
Honoured for exceptional youth leadership and outstanding contributions to human rights advocacy, civic engagement, and youth empowerment in Ghana.
Category 7: Local Governance & Community Transformation Leadership
Hon. Alfredos Nii Anyetei
Municipal Chief Executive, La Dade-Kotopon Municipal Assembly (LaDMA)
Award: Local Governance & Community Transformation Excellence Award
Recognized for visionary leadership in local governance, community development, inclusive decision-making, and sustainable urban transformation.
Building a Lasting Legacy
The inaugural honourees represent an exceptional cross-section of African and global leadership whose achievements embody the core values upon which the awards programme was founded—integrity, visionary leadership, innovation, accountability, courage, public service, and an unwavering commitment to advancing human dignity.
Although the programme has evolved from the HRRG Global RightsCon Awards to the HRRG Global RightsShield Awards, its mission remains unchanged: to recognize and celebrate individuals and institutions whose leadership inspires progress, strengthens democratic societies, advances human rights, and contributes meaningfully to a more just, peaceful, inclusive, and sustainable world.
As HRRG prepares for future editions of the Global RightsShield Awards, the inaugural class will forever remain the foundation upon which this growing international honours programme is built.
Editorial Note
The awards programme was originally launched in 2026 under the name HRRG Global RightsCon Awards. As part of Human Rights Reporters Ghana’s long-term branding strategy and commitment to establishing a distinctive independent global identity; the programme has since been officially renamed the HRRG Global RightsShield Awards.
This branding update reflects the evolution of the programme and does not affect the validity, status, prestige, or recognition of any inaugural award or honouree.
Recognising Impact. Celebrating Leadership. Advancing Human Dignity.
Source: HRRG