Why the HRRG Global RightsCon 2026 Awards Still Matter — And Why Abuja Will Host Africa’s Celebration of Human Rights Leadership

When the RightsCon 2026 Summit — widely recognised as the world’s leading conference on human rights in the digital age, an initiative by Access Now — was cancelled earlier this year, it would have been easy for the HRRG Global RightsCon 2026 Awards to disappear with it.

Instead, Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG) and global partners and stakeholders chose a different path.

Rather than allowing months of preparation and the remarkable achievements of this year’s selected honourees to go unrecognized, the organisation resolved to preserve the awards by securing a new continental platform.

The result is that the HRRG Global RightsCon 2026 Awards will now be presented during the 3rd Africa High-Level Civil Society Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Conference, scheduled for July 14–17, 2026, at the Abuja Continental Hotel, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Nigeria.

The decision represents more than a change of venue. It reflects a commitment to ensuring that outstanding leadership in human rights, democratic governance, digital rights and social justice continues to receive the recognition it deserves, regardless of changes affecting major global platforms.

Celebrating Leadership That Strengthens Democracy and Human Rights

Held under the theme “Championing Human Rights and Democratic Renewal,” the HRRG Global RightsCon 2026 Awards will recognise individuals and institutions whose work continues to shape Africa’s democratic future.

The awards are expected to honour an exceptional group of African leaders, diplomats, legal scholars, human rights defenders, civil society leaders, development practitioners, youth advocates and institutions whose contributions have strengthened democratic governance, protected fundamental freedoms, promoted digital rights, expanded civic participation and advanced sustainable development.

The awards ceremony will form part of the official programme of the 3rd Africa High-Level Civil Society AML/CFT Conference, bringing together policymakers, governance experts, civil society organisations and international stakeholders at the Abuja Continental Hotel, FCT, Abuja, Nigeria.

At a time when societies across the world are navigating challenges including digital threats, shrinking civic space, misinformation, online harms and growing pressure on democratic institutions, recognising leaders who defend human dignity and fundamental freedoms has become increasingly significant.

More Than an Awards Ceremony

For HRRG, the Global RightsCon Awards represent more than a celebration of individual accomplishments.

The initiative seeks to spotlight leadership that demonstrates courage, integrity and commitment to the public good while encouraging stronger action towards democratic renewal, accountability and the protection of human rights.

Speaking ahead of the ceremony, Executive Director of Human Rights Reporters Ghana, Dr. Joseph Kobla Wemakor, said the awards are designed to recognise leaders whose contributions extend beyond personal achievements.

“The HRRG Global RightsCon Awards are more than a celebration of achievement; they are a recognition of leadership rooted in integrity, courage, service and an unwavering commitment to the public good. At a time when democratic values and civic freedoms continue to face significant challenges, it is important to honour those whose work strengthens institutions, protects fundamental rights, inspires hope and advances human dignity across Africa.”

Dr. Wemakor explained that the identities of the award recipients will be officially unveiled during the ceremony at the Abuja Continental Hotel, FCT, Abuja, Nigeria.

From RightsCon to Abuja: Preserving the Spirit of Global Human Rights Advocacy

The HRRG Global RightsCon 2026 Awards were originally conceived as a special recognition initiative aligned with the RightsCon 2026 Summit in Lusaka, Zambia.

RightsCon, widely regarded as the world’s leading conference on human rights in the digital age, brings together activists, technology experts, policymakers, journalists, academics, companies and civil society leaders from around the world to address emerging challenges at the intersection of technology and human rights.

Following the cancellation of the 2026 summit, HRRG’s Board of Directors and Awards Committee resolved that the achievements of the selected honourees should still be celebrated, leading to the decision to relocate the awards presentation to Abuja.

The new platform ensures that the values behind the initiative — human rights protection, digital freedom, civic participation, accountability and democratic renewal — remain at the centre of continental conversations.

HRRG’s Growing Legacy in Human Rights Advocacy

The decision to host the Global RightsCon Awards reflects HRRG’s growing role in advancing human rights, democratic accountability and social justice in Ghana, Africa and beyond.

Established in 2019, Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG) has developed into a leading human rights and media-focused civil society organisation working through advocacy, investigative journalism, research, public education, capacity building, strategic partnerships and community interventions.

Over the years, HRRG’s work has received significant national and international recognition, including the prestigious 5th UN Global Entreps Award for Best International Practice on Sustainability for its nationwide KTT Project, a human rights and public safety sensitization initiative that has reached more than 60,000 beneficiaries across Ghana.

The organisation has also received the Africa Peace Advocate Award (2023), emerged as a finalist in the African Human Rights Defenders Shield Awards (2023), and was recognised in the Africans Rising Activism Award — Movement of the Year category.

In addition, HRRG received an honorary recognition for Peace, Security and Education at the Africa Early Childhood Education Awards, was listed among Ghana’s 100 Most Impactful Changemakers (2024), and was featured in Business Woman Club International Magazine, Ukraine, for its contributions to advancing women’s rights during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The organisation has also contributed expert perspectives to the World Bank’s Equality of Opportunity for Sexual and Gender Minorities (EQOSOGI) Report and continues to engage regional and international platforms on human rights, civic participation and sustainable development.

Beyond its advocacy work, HRRG convenes and supports more than 500 civil society organisations through the Youth Sub-Platform of the Ghana Civil Society Organizations Platform on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while representing Ghana at various national, regional and global forums on governance, human rights and development.

Looking Beyond Recognition

The HRRG Global RightsCon 2026 Awards are ultimately about building a culture that values ethical leadership.

Recognition alone does not transform societies. However, celebrating individuals and institutions that defend democratic principles, expand civic space and advance social justice sends a powerful message that integrity, public service and respect for human rights remain essential to Africa’s future.

Following the ceremony, Human Rights Reporters Ghana and global partners and stakeholders will release the official list of recipients, award citations, photographs and highlights from the event.

As preparations continue for Abuja, the awards serve as a reminder that while platforms may change and circumstances may evolve, the pursuit of justice, democratic renewal and human dignity remains a shared global responsibility.