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From Vision to Legacy: Why the Inaugural Honourees of the HRRG Global RightsShield Awards Will Always Matter

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  Every meaningful initiative begins with a vision. For me, the journey that led to the establishment of the HRRG Global RightsCon Awards—now officially rebranded as the HRRG Global RightsShield Awards—was inspired by a simple but enduring belief: that outstanding leadership, courage, integrity, and service to humanity deserve meaningful recognition. Across Africa and around the world, countless individuals and institutions dedicate their lives to advancing human rights, strengthening democratic governance, promoting social justice, protecting civic freedoms, and improving the lives of others. While their work often transforms communities and influences public policy, it is not always celebrated. That reality inspired Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG) to establish an international awards programme that would honour those whose leadership creates lasting impact. The Beginning of an Enduring Journey The inaugural edition of the awards programme marked more than the presen...
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A New Chapter in Our Journey: Introducing the HRRG Global RightsShield Awards

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  Every meaningful institution reaches moments in its journey when reflection, growth, and renewed vision become necessary. For Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG), that moment has come. Today, I am pleased to announce the official rebranding of our flagship international awards programme, formerly known as the HRRG Global RightsCon Awards, which will now be known as the HRRG Global RightsShield Awards . This transition represents far more than a change of name. It reflects a new chapter in our collective journey to build a globally respected platform dedicated to recognising exceptional leadership, courage, innovation, integrity, and service to humanity. The Vision Behind the New Identity When HRRG conceived the idea of establishing an international awards programme, our goal was clear: to create a platform that celebrates individuals and institutions whose work contributes meaningfully to the advancement of human rights, democracy, justice, peace, and sustainable develo...
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A Historic Milestone: The Unveiling of the HRRG Global RightsCon Awards in Abuja

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  A vision became reality in Abuja, Nigeria, as the HRRG Global RightsShield Awards  initially conceived as HRRG Global RightsCon Awards was officially unveiled during the 3rd Africa High-Level Civil Society Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financial Terrorism (AML/CFT) Conference at the Abuja Continental Hotel. This short video captures a memorable chapter in our journey—from my brief introduction of the vision behind the awards, to the official unveiling, and the presentation of honours to five recipients during the ceremony. The inaugural HRRG Global RightsShield Awards recognised 10 exceptional honourees whose outstanding contributions continue to advance human rights, democratic renewal, civic leadership, sustainable development, and social impact across Africa and beyond. The moment represents more than an awards presentation. It reflects a commitment to celebrating individuals and institutions whose courage, dedication, and service are helping to build a mo...
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A Defining Moment: Presenting President John Mahama with the African Statesmanship & Democratic Renewal Award

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There are moments in one's professional journey that become lasting milestones—not because of the recognition they bring, but because of the values they represent. For me, Tuesday, July 14, 2026, was one of those defining moments. At the Abuja Continental Hotel in Nigeria's Federal Capital Territory, I had the distinct honour of officially unveiling the HRRG Global RightsShield Awards and presenting the inaugural African Statesmanship & Democratic Renewal Award to the President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama. Although President Mahama was unable to attend due to official engagements, the award was graciously received on his behalf by Mrs Jennifer Y. Annor-Tettey, Counsellor/Consular Affairs at the Ghana High Commission in Nigeria. The presentation formed part of the 3rd Africa High-Level Civil Society Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Conference 2026—an important continental gathering that brought togethe...
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Why We Chose to Keep the HRRG Global RightsCon 2026 Awards Alive: A Reflection on Recognising Leadership, Courage and Human Rights Defenders

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There are moments in the life of every institution when circumstances test not only its plans but also its commitment to the values it represents. For Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG), the journey towards the HRRG Global RightsShield 2026 Awards has been one such moment. The awards were originally conceived as a special recognition initiative to be presented during RightsCon 2026 in Lusaka, Zambia —the world's leading conference on human rights in the digital age.  RightsCon has over the years provided a global platform where activists, technology experts, policymakers, journalists, researchers, companies and civil society leaders converge to discuss how technology impacts human rights and democratic freedoms. When the RightsCon 2026 Summit was subsequently cancelled, we faced an important decision: should the vision behind the awards be abandoned, or should we find another meaningful platform to celebrate the exceptional individuals and institutions whose work continues...
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Why Ghana Must Prioritize the Ratification of the African Disability Protocol

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  In recent years, conversations around human rights, inclusion and social justice have gained increasing attention across Ghana and Africa. However, one group that continues to face persistent exclusion, discrimination and marginalization is persons with disabilities, especially women and girls with disabilities. Despite various national and international commitments toward disability inclusion, many women with disabilities in Ghana still struggle daily with barriers that limit their access to education, healthcare, employment, leadership opportunities and meaningful participation in society. These concerns took center stage during an Inception and Stakeholder Engagement Workshop organized by the Women with Disability Development and Advocacy Organization (WODAO) in partnership with the Network of Women with Disabilities Africa (NEWDA) in Accra. The workshop, themed “Strengthening the Women with Disabilities Movement and Advancing the Ratification of the African Disability Prot...
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Gov't urged to help remove 20% luxury tax on menstrual hygiene products to advance women’s health

The Country Director of Days for Girls Ghana (DFG), a non-profit organization, Sandra Boakye has called on government to urgently respond to the plight of women and girls and ensure the complete removal of 20% luxury tax on menstrual hygiene product into the country to allow free-flow, easy access and use of women and girls during their menstrual cycle periods.  According to her, this would go a long way to help address the issues of menstrual hygiene health that our women and girls are confronted with on a daily basis to advance their good health and well-being in the country at all times. She made this known while addressing a capacity building session organized by her outfit for some selected journalists representing a cross section of the Ghanaian media in Accra on Monday September 20, 2021.      The beneficiaries were drawn from media houses such as GTV, Metro TV, Atinka TV, ATV, Sena Radio online, Ghanaian Times, Onua TV/Radio, 3FM/TV3 and the Human Rights...
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