EXTRAS
Human Rights Reporters Ghana wins prestigious 5th UN Global Entreps Awards
Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG), a dynamic Ghanaian media and human rights advocacy non-governmental organization has been adjudged winner of the 5th UN Global Entreps Awards by the Secretary-General of Entreps-International Board of Global Actors and Business for Sustainability, Raquel Torres backed by the 1,000 Global Jurors of Entreps in partnership with the UN75 effective July 15, 2023.
HRRG clinched the prestigious accolade through its compelling Nationwide Sensitization Campaign on Kidnapping, Teenage Pregnancy and Tramadol/Drug Abuse (‘KTT Project') declared as the ‘Best International Practice Award on Sustainability'.
The award conferred on the Human Rights Reporters Ghana and its founder Joseph Kobla Wemakor was confirmed in San Jose, capital of Costa Rica (Central America) by the Raquel Torres, Secretary-General of Entreps-International Board of Global Actors and Business for Sustainability strongly supported by the 1,000 Global Jurors of Entreps in collaboration with the UN75.
The laudable initiative was chosen out of 1,912 projects and enterprises from 126 countries shortlisted as better implementers of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, so far, in each geographical area of the world through a rigorous, long-standing global contest assessment spanning two years period.
This follows its being shortlisted in November 2020 to compete in the final round of the 5th edition of the prestigious Global Entreps Awards through the assessment of the Award Chairman, Joaquin V. Boston with backing of the 1,000 members of the Global Jury from 126 countries.
The Global Jurors are committed diplomats, public figures, associations, researchers and influential citizens working towards sustainability and governance.
The Global Entreps Awards honor individuals, outstanding initiatives, successful policies, institutions, start-ups, and other entities from all over the world, provided they are created and grow sustainably in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations.
The Global #EntrepsAwards, like the ‘Oscar Awards' to Sustainability, reward the best practices worldwide giving birth, 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 entirely devoted to the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The KTT Project focused on addressing the issues of kidnapping, teenage pregnancy and drug abuse but equally set about creating a deeper education on human rights to bring about cultural change.
In response to the increasing incidents of kidnappings in Ghana in 2019, the Human Rights Reporters Ghana led by its founder and executive director, Joseph Kobla Wemakor launched the ‘saviour' KTT Project to raise awareness of three key issues: kidnapping, teenage pregnancies, and tramadol/drug abuse.
The intervention seeks to complement government's effort to end the country's rising abductions including protecting lives and promotion of human rights
Since the roll out of the program in July 2019, the campaign team 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 staging the compelling campaign demonstrated the success of the initiative in saving lives and contributing significantly towards the advancement of the SDGs.
It also inspired the HRRG team of passionate volunteers to go above and beyond to expand the campaign to include all 16 regions of Ghana.
The group's dedication towards its activism laurels in helping address issues of human rights abuses in Ghana and beyond has received wide commendation from various individuals, organizations and institutions both within and outside Ghana.
It equally paved the way for it to be nominated among the ten (10) organizations from across Africa that were named finalists for the 2020 Africans Rising Activism Award in the category of Movement of the Year. Surprisingly, HRRG, which finished the competition in fourth place, was the only advocacy group repressing Ghana to be nominated for the notable 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 to bring the country closer to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063.
The vibrant organization 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).
Entreps Chairman, Joaquin Boston who was enthused about the success of the ‘KTT Project including other campaigns of the HRRG in acknowledgement established: “Our team supports this kind of practices and also recognizes the fine results”.
HRRG's ED, Joseph Kobla Wemakor in his appreciation of the prestigious honor observed that the award recognizes the significant strides the NGO has made towards advancing societal safety and combating international crimes.
He averred that the award is a testament to their dedicated team who are passionate about uprooting societal menaces and believes this accolade will only spur them to further their benevolent pursuits.
He added that: “for HRRG to be acknowledged 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 from Ghana, West Africa to receive the revered global honor is a noteworthy accomplishment confirming Ghana's position in global sustainable practice and setting precedence for other NGOs and stakeholders in the region to emulate”.
Wemakor was thankful to the United for Human Rights (UHR), a US-based non-profit organization for supporting the HRRG project team through donation of “the story of human rights” booklets which aided it in facilitating education on human rights during the campaign period.
For his part, Wisdom Eli Kojo Hammond, the KTT Project Coordinator at HRRG was palpably proud of the project's success: “It feels amazing to see our work recognized globally. But the real victory is witnessing the change and progress these communities make as a result of our constant efforts,” he stated.
He also expressed immense gratitude towards the recognition and support from the Global Entreps Awards, and affirmed HRRG's determination to continually push the boundaries and achieve greater milestones in the future.
“It's a testament to the dedication and diligence of our team to promote human rights awareness and protection in Ghana”.
Despite the recognition and achievements, the KTT coordinator emphasized 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.
As Ghana commits to the global objectives of sustainable peace and development, such initiatives contribute towards a safer and more progressive society.
The honor from the Global Entreps Awards demonstrates the 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.
This 5th edition, along with the 5Gcitizens International Congress, was launched in partnership with the United Nations (celebrating its 75th Anniversary) and in collaboration with other main organizations in the world such as the European Union.
Ban Ki-moon, 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations, opened the final round of the Global Entreps Awards competition on the 25th of September 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 or Foluke Michael, gave speeches in our kick-off event at the UNGA75, as well.
Entreps, the International Board of Global Actors and Business for Sustainability is a global multi-stakeholder organisation working towards sustainability and good governance.
The organization rewards successful initiatives that raise awareness and are sustainable. Entreps was established on June 26, 2010.
Some previous awardees are: the Circular Economy Package (European Commission), the Peace Agreement with the FARC in Colombia to re-Develop the Cauca´s Valley, Airbnb, Watify Boosting Technological Transformation (DG Grow), Roja Fazaeli (Trinity College Dublin), and the ERRIN European Regions Research and Innovation Network.
Others are 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 (Women's Rights Activist in Africa), the UNODC Programme to Protect Big Cats, Nobel Grid, FinTech Innovation Lab Dublin, and Prof. Josh Lerner (Harvard Business).
