President John Dramani Mahama has been recognised for his contribution to democratic governance and regional cooperation after receiving the African Statesmanship and Democratic Renewal Award at the inaugural HRRG Global RightsCon Awards in Abuja, Nigeria.
The award, presented by Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG), acknowledges the Ghanaian President’s role in promoting inclusive governance, civic participation, peaceful democratic transitions and cooperation across Africa.
The ceremony was held 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 honoured for leadership that reflects a commitment to strengthening democratic institutions, promoting accountability and advancing inclusive development.
The organisation said the award also recognised efforts to deepen dialogue and support sustainable development within Ghana and the wider African region.
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 recognise individuals and institutions whose work contributes to 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,” he said.
“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 added.
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 and Global Solidarity Award for Sustainable Development on behalf of Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
The awards ceremony brought together prominent figures and organisations recognised for their contributions to democratic governance, human rights, civic freedoms and sustainable development.
Among those honoured was Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who received the African Democratic Leadership and Regional Integration Award.
Renowned Kenyan legal scholar and Pan-Africanist Professor Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba was also recognised with the Pan-African Legal Thought and Moral Leadership Award. The honour was received on his behalf 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 work in promoting civic space, social justice and inclusive democratic participation.
Other recipients included Access Now and the RightsCon Global Team, Dr George Asiedu, Mr Alfredos Nii Anyetei, Joshua Elikplim Adjei and Eminence Lead International.
The inaugural ceremony covered three of the seven award categories: the Special Pan-African Leadership Award, Sanitation and Sustainable Cities Leadership Award, and Civic Space and Social Justice Leadership Award.
The remaining categories include the Local Governance and Community Transformation Leadership Award, Emerging Human Rights Leadership and Youth Advocacy Award, Global Digital Rights Leadership Award, and African Civil Society Leadership and Sustainable Development Excellence Award.
Award recipients and representatives received customised plaques, Citations of Honour and official award booklets detailing the achievements of the inaugural honourees.
Dr Wemakor said the HRRG Global RightsCon Awards were initially conceived as a recognition initiative to be held alongside the RightsCon 2026 Summit in Lusaka, Zambia.
Following the cancellation of the summit, however, the HRRG Board of Directors and Awards Committee decided to proceed with the awards ceremony in Abuja.
The inaugural event, he said, was intended to ensure that individuals and institutions whose work has advanced human rights, democratic governance, civic leadership and sustainable development were duly recognised.
The recognition of President Mahama and other African leaders and institutions places the awards within a broader effort to celebrate democratic values and encourage continued leadership in strengthening civic freedoms and inclusive development across the continent.
