Mahama, Tinubu, PLO Lumumba Receive Prestigious HRRG Global RightsCon Awards in Abuja

Abuja, Nigeria| July 14, 2026 – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria, President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana, international digital rights organisation Access Now, renowned Kenyan legal scholar Professor Patrick Loch Otieno (PLO) Lumumba, Ghana's Minister for Foreign Affairs Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, and several distinguished African leaders and institutions have been honoured at the inaugural HRRG Global RightsCon Awards, officially unveiled by Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG) in Abuja, Nigeria.

The historic awards ceremony, held on Tuesday, July 14, was one of the highlights of the 3rd Africa High-Level Civil Society Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Conference 2026 at the Abuja Continental Hotel. The event brought together Heads of State, diplomats, senior government officials, legal scholars, civil society leaders, development partners and governance experts from across Africa and beyond.

The ceremony marked the official launch of the HRRG Global RightsCon Awards, a flagship international honours programme established to recognise exceptional leadership in human rights, democratic governance, digital rights, diplomacy, civic participation and sustainable development.

The awards were originally conceived as a special recognition initiative to coincide with the RightsCon 2026 Summit in Lusaka, Zambia. However, following the cancellation of the global summit, HRRG's Board of Directors and Awards Committee resolved that the achievements of the selected honourees deserved international recognition and chose the Abuja conference as the platform for the official unveiling.

Delivering the keynote address, Founder and Executive Director of Human Rights Reporters Ghana, Dr. Joseph Kobla Wemakor, described the launch as a defining milestone in HRRG's institutional growth and the beginning of a global recognition platform dedicated to celebrating individuals and institutions whose leadership continues to inspire positive change.

"Today is not merely about presenting plaques and citations. It is about officially launching a global platform that celebrates individuals and institutions who have consistently chosen courage over convenience, service over self-interest and impact over applause," Dr. Wemakor said.

He noted that the awards seek to celebrate leaders whose work strengthens democratic governance, protects civic freedoms, promotes digital inclusion and advances sustainable development, while inspiring future generations to embrace ethical leadership and public service.

Leading the inaugural class of recipients was President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who received the African Democratic Leadership & Regional Integration Award in recognition of his contribution to democratic governance, regional cooperation and advancing Africa's strategic interests. Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama was honoured with the African Statesmanship & Democratic Renewal Award for his enduring commitment to democratic values, inclusive development and regional collaboration.

Kenya's celebrated constitutional lawyer and Pan-Africanist Professor Patrick Loch Otieno (PLO) Lumumba received the Pan-African Legal Thought & Moral Leadership Award, while Ghana's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, was presented with the African Diplomacy & Global Solidarity Award for Sustainable Development for his contributions to diplomacy and international cooperation.

International digital rights organisation Access Now and the RightsCon Global Team were also recognised for their outstanding contribution to advancing digital rights, internet freedom and the protection of human rights in the digital age, while fostering global collaboration around technology and civic freedoms.

Other distinguished recipients included Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri, Founder and Executive Director of Spaces for Change (S4C); Ing. Dr. George Asiedu, Project Coordinator of the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area Sanitation and Water Project (GAMA SWP); Hon. Alfredos Nii Anyetei, Municipal Chief Executive of the La Dade-Kotopon Municipal Assembly; Joshua Elikplim Adjei, Programme Officer of Human Rights Reporters Ghana; and Eminence Lead International, a Ghana-based non-profit organisation recognised for its commitment to leadership development and sustainable community transformation.

HRRG said all award recipients were selected through an independent assessment process undertaken by its Board and Awards Committee, based on demonstrated leadership, measurable impact, integrity and outstanding service within their respective fields.

Dr. Wemakor expressed gratitude to Spaces for Change (S4C), Civic Advisory Hub (CAH), organisers of the Africa High-Level Civil Society AML/CFT Conference, members of the HRRG Board and Awards Committee, development partners and collaborating institutions for their support in making the inaugural awards a success.

He reaffirmed HRRG's commitment to institutionalising the HRRG Global RightsCon Awards as one of the world's leading recognition platforms dedicated to celebrating transformational leadership, defending civic freedoms, promoting democratic governance and inspiring a new generation of changemakers committed to advancing human dignity across the globe.

Officially launched in Abuja on July 14, 2026, the HRRG Global RightsCon Awards is the flagship global honours programme of Human Rights Reporters Ghana and its partners.

The initiative recognises individuals and institutions whose courage, innovation, integrity and commitment continue to strengthen democracy, protect human rights and advance sustainable development across Africa and the wider international community.

Source:HRRG