Accra, July 20, GNA- President John Dramani Mahama has been honoured with the African Statesmanship and Democratic Renewal Award at the inaugural HRRG Global RightsCon Awards in Abuja Nigeria.
It is in recognition of his contributions to democratic governance, inclusive development, regional cooperation and public service.
The award was presented by Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG) during the official unveiling and inaugural presentation ceremony of the HRRG Global RightsCon Awards held in Abuja, Nigeria, as part of the 3rd Africa High-Level Civil Society Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Conference 2026.
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 across Africa.
The organisation said the award acknowledged leadership that demonstrated commitment to democratic governance, accountability, dialogue and inclusive development.
Presenting the award, Dr Joseph Kobla Wemakor, Founder and Executive Director of Human Rights Reporters Ghana, said the HRRG Global RightsCon Awards sought to recognise individuals and institutions whose work contributed to the advancement of human rights, democratic governance, civic participation, digital freedoms and 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,” he said.
Dr Wemakor said the awards were established to celebrate exemplary leadership and encourage continued commitment to protecting civic freedoms, strengthening democratic institutions and promoting social justice.
President Mahama, who was unable to attend the ceremony because of official engagements, was represented by Mrs. Jennifer Y. Annor-Tettey, Counsellor/Consular Affairs at the Ghana High Commission in Nigeria, who received the award on his behalf.
Mrs. Annor-Tettey also received the African Diplomacy and Global Solidarity Award for Sustainable Development on behalf of Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who was also unable to attend the ceremony.
The ceremony also recognised renowned Kenyan legal scholar and Pan-Africanist Professor Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba, whose Pan-African Legal Thought and Moral Leadership Award was received by Ambassador Aliyu Suleiman of the Nigeria Chapter of the PLO Lumumba Foundation.
Ms. Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri, Executive Director of Spaces for Change, West Africa, personally received the Civic Space and Social Justice Advocacy Award for her contribution to promoting civic space, social justice and inclusive democratic participation.
Award recipients and designated representatives received customised plaques, Citations of Honour and official award booklets highlighting the achievements of the inaugural honourees.
The inaugural ceremony recognised recipients under three of the seven award categories: the Special Pan-African Leadership Award, Sanitation and Sustainable Cities Leadership Award, and the Civic Space and Social Justice Leadership Award.
HRRG 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 honoured included President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria, recipient of the African Democratic Leadership and Regional Integration Award; Mr 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.
Other recipients recognised under the various categories were Access Now and the RightsCon Global Team, Dr George Asiedu, Mr. Alfredos Nii Anyetei, Joshua Elikplim Adjei, and Eminence Lead International.
Dr Wemakor said the HRRG Global RightsCon Awards were originally conceived as a recognition initiative alongside the RightsCon 2026 Summit in Lusaka, Zambia.
However, following the cancellation of the summit, the HRRG Board of Directors and Awards Committee resolved to proceed with the awards ceremony in Abuja to recognise the inaugural recipients for their contributions to governance, human rights, civic leadership and sustainable development.
GNA
Edited by George-Ramsey Benamba