Ghanaian human rights group bags prestigious 5th UN Global Entreps Awards

The Secretary-General of Entreps-International Board of Global Actors and Business for Sustainability, Raquel Torres, has named Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG), a dynamic Ghanaian media and human rights advocacy non-governmental organization, the winner of the 5th UN Global Entreps Awards.

As the winner of the "Best International Practice Award on Sustainability," HRRG's compelling Nationwide Sensitization Campaign on Kidnapping, Teenage Pregnancy, and Tramadol/Drug Abuse” dubbed: the ‘KTT Project’ secured the prestigious honor.

The honor bestowed upon Human Rights Reporters Ghana and its founder Joseph Kobla Wemakor was attested in San Jose, capital of Costa Rica (Central America) by Raquel Torres, Secretary-General of Entreps-International Board of Global Actors and Business for Sustainability backed by the 1,000 Global Jurors of Entreps in partnership with the UN75 on July 15, 2023.

The admirable enterprise was chosen after a thorough evaluation of 1,912 projects and initiatives from 126 countries over a two-year period as the world's best implementers of the UN Sustainable Development Goals so far in each geographical region.

Following a review by the Award Chairman, Joaquin V. Boston, with the backing of the 1,000 members of the Global Jury from 126 nations, it was shortlisted in November 2020 to compete in the final round of the 5th edition of the prestigious UN Global Entreps Awards.

The Global Jurors are devoted diplomats, well-known individuals, groups, academics, activists, and prominent citizens who are committed to sustainability and good governance.

The Global Entreps Awards is an event of international repute that recognizes noteworthy contributions to sustainable development and entrepreneurship. The significant win by Human Rights Reporters Ghana has hence affirmed the relevance of their work in enhancing human rights awareness and education, which align perfectly with the global sustainable development goals (SDGs).

The Global #EntrepsAwards, like the ‘Oscar Awards’ to Sustainability, reward the best practices worldwide giving birth to, promoting, and/or implementing any of the 17 United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a sustainable business or industry, breakthrough digital solutions respectful Nature and human beings, good governance and engaged citizenship as well as entrepreneurship and Science respectful to Nature and human beings.

There are all 30 awards, 30 different chapters for 126 countries, 17 of which are devoted to the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Human Rights Reporters Ghana, under the direction of its founder and executive director, Joseph Kobla Wemakor, launched the "messiah" KTT Project to bring attention to three important issues: kidnapping, teenage pregnancies, and tramadol/drug abuse. This was done in response to the rising number of kidnapping incidents in Ghana in 2019.

The KTT campaign concentrated on addressing the problems of kidnapping, teenage pregnancies, and drug abuse but also set out to develop a deeper understanding of human rights to effect cultural change.

The intervention aims to support government initiatives to stop the country's increasing kidnapping problems as well as help address social challenges and promote human rights.

Since the rollout of the program in July 2019, the campaign team has managed to reach over 60,000 beneficiaries, particularly schoolchildren, parents, and youth groups in the communities and religious settings within three regions of Ghana.

The positive feedback received barely a year after launching the compelling campaign proved the initiative's success in saving lives and making a significant contribution to the advancement of the SDGs.

It also motivated the committed volunteers on the HRRG team to go above and beyond to broaden the campaign to cover all 16 regions of Ghana.

The group has received widespread praise from numerous people, organizations, and institutions both inside and outside Ghana for its commitment to its activism laurels in aiding in addressing issues of human rights abuses in Ghana and beyond.

In addition, it made it possible for it to be named one of the ten (10) organizations from all over Africa that were selected as finalists for the 2020 African Rising Activism Award in the Movement of the Year category.

Surprisingly, HRRG, which placed fourth overall, was the only advocacy organization from Ghana to be considered for the prestigious award.

Human Rights Reporters Ghana is an initiative of young Ghanaian journalists, editors, lawyers, and human rights activists who have come together to address human rights violations in Ghana and beyond to bring the country closer to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063.

The vibrant organization, which focuses on the defense, advancement, and fulfillment of human rights, is based in Ghana but has a global reach.

HRRG has hence affirmed the relevance of their work in enhancing human rights awareness and education, which align perfectly with the global sustainable development goals (SDGs).

In his acknowledgment of the KTT Project and other advocacy campaigns of the HRRG team, Joaquin Boston, the Chairman of Entreps attested: "Our team supports this kind of practice and also recognizes the fine results”.

His endorsement quote appeared on the Entreps official website beneath the finest publication which highlights the activities, projects and campaigns of the HRRG in detail.

Joseph Kobla Wemakor, the Executive Director of HRRG in an interview after receipt of the prestigious honor emphasized that the award acknowledges the significant contributions the NGO has made to advancing societal safety and combating international crimes.

He stated that the award is a testament to their dedicated team, who are passionate about uprooting societal menaces and believe this accolade will only spur them to further their humanitarian pursuits.

He furthered: “For HRRG to be recognized by the 1,000 Global Jurors of Entreps, Joaquin Boston, the Chairman of Entreps, and its Secretary-General, Raquel Torres, in collaboration with the United Nations as an awardee representing Ghana, West Africa, for the esteemed global honor is a significant achievement reaffirming Ghana’s position in global sustainable practice and setting precedence for other NGOs and stakeholders in the region to emulate”.

Wemakor was appreciative to the United for Human Rights (UHR), a non-profit organization with headquarters in the US, for helping the HRRG project team by supporting it with the donation of "the story of human rights" booklets, which helped it to facilitate education on human rights during the campaign period.

KTT Project Coordinator Eli Kojo Hammond at HRRG was visibly pleased with the project's outcome: "Being recognized internationally for our work is incredible. The real triumph, however, is seeing how these communities transform and advance as a result of our ongoing efforts, he posited.

Additionally, he expressed his sincere gratitude for the recognition and assistance provided by the Global Entreps Awards and reaffirmed HRRG's commitment to continuing to push the envelope and reaching greater milestones in the future.

"It's a testament to the commitment and diligence of our team to advance human rights awareness and protection in Ghana," he said.

Despite the recognition and achievements, the KTT Project coordinator stressed that the battle against human rights abuse is continuous and encouraged everyone to join in the efforts to safeguard human rights, pledging that HRRG would remain resolute in its mission.

The fifth edition and the 5G Citizens International Congress were introduced in cooperation with the United Nations and other major international organizations, including the European Union.

Ban Ki-moon, the 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations, opened the final round of the Global Entries Awards competition on September 25, 2020, at the General Assembly of the United Nations (UNGA75).

Among others, the UNDP @SDGAction Africa, via its Deputy Secretary-General of the UN Amina Mohammed, the Director-General of the Joint Research Center JRC-European Commission Stephen Quest, the Vice-Chancellor of Covenant University, and several Entreps Global Jurors, as well as Suad Galow, Vera Baboun, Markku Markkula, Simona Chamiska, Thakur S. Powdyel, Kohei Kurihara, and Foluke Michael, gave speeches in the kick-off event at the UNGA75.

Entreps, the International Board of Global Actors and Business for Sustainability, is a global multi-stakeholder organization working towards sustainability and good governance.

Entreps reward successful initiatives that raise awareness and are sustainable. The organization was established on June 26, 2010.

A few previous recipients include the European Commission's Circular Economy Package, the Peace Agreement with the FARC in Colombia to redevelop the Cauca Valley, Airbnb, Watify's Boosting Technological Transformation (DG Grow), Trinity College Dublin's Roja Fazaeli, and the ERRIN European Regions Research and Innovation Network.

Others include the UNODC Programme to Protect Big Cats, Nobel Grid, FinTech Innovation Lab Dublin, the Reef Systems Research Group on Micro-plastics at the Leibniz University (Centre for Tropical Marine), the Secondary Towns and Rural Community-Based Water Supply and Sanitation Project in Sri Lanka (ADB), Jolly Kamuntu (a women's Rights Activist in Africa), the Secondary Towns and Rural Community-Based Water Supply and Sanitation Project in Sri Lanka (ADB), and Prof. (Harvard Business School).

KTT Project's victory sets Ghana firmly within the global spotlight for innovation and sustainable practices. The KTT project from HRRG is a beacon of hope and success that will light the path to come, churning motivation for many to initiate more sustainable practices in Ghana and across the globe.

As Ghana commits to the global objectives of sustainable peace and development, such initiatives contribute towards a safer and more progressive society.

The award demonstrates international recognition and support for the substantial steps Ghana and, specifically, the HRRG are taking towards sustainable change. This will consequently influence more stakeholders and governments to invest in preventive strategies over retributive actions while dealing with social issues.

Human Rights Reporters Ghana works tirelessly to enlighten the Ghanaian populace and beyond on human rights issues and protections, focusing on vulnerable demographics such as women, girls, children, persons living with disability, and minority groups. Their work in campaigning against human trafficking and other human rights abuses led to the organization's nomination for consideration at the 5th Global Entreps Awards.

HRRG articulates its campaigns through a variety of channels that include public educational programs, social media engagements, workshops, and partnerships with other bodies sharing a similar vision. For the organization, human rights awareness and education remain key to realizing the principles of fairness, justice, and equal rights within society.

The vibrant advocacy group’s win at the 5th Global Entreps Awards demonstrates the important role non-governmental organizations play in fostering social development. It's an affirmation of HRRG’s impactful role in improving societal consciousness on human rights and their continued pledge to tirelessly advocate for these rights, and fight against human rights abuses.

The award affirms the organization's notable progress in aligning its projects and initiatives with global benchmarks such as the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Particularly, the organization's advocacy efforts contribute directly to SDG 16, which focuses on peace, justice, and strong institutions.

The achievement of Human Rights Reporters Ghana at the Global Entreps Awards prompts an urge to support and recognize the invaluable contributions of human rights organizations worldwide. It emphasizes the urgent need for us all to act toward the elimination of human rights abuses and work toward a fairer world.

HRRG's victory points to larger, global narratives. It’s about more than just one organization’s recognition - it’s evidence that community-based actions can effect substantial changes and contribute to achieving international goals like the SDGs. The work of HRRG represents that of many small- to mid-sized NGOs worldwide that, every day, work devotedly to effect meaningful changes in their communities and societies.