Joseph Wemakor:acclaimed Ghanaian human rights defender named finalist of the 2023 AfricanDefenders Shield Awards

Joseph Kobla Wemakor is a Ghanaian human rights defender who has dedicated his life to defending the rights of marginalized communities in Ghana and beyond.

Wemakor has been named a finalist of the 2023 AfricanDefenders Shield Awards, a prestigious award that recognizes the efforts of individuals working to promote and protect human rights in Africa.

The Shield Awards honor exceptional individuals who have contributed to changes in their community by peacefully promoting and protecting human rights, as universally recognized by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

It is an initiative of the AfricanDefenders (Pan-African Human Rights Defenders Network) hosted by DefendDefenders (East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project) at the secretariat of the AfricanDefenders in Kampala, Uganda “Dear Joseph, on behalf of AfricanDefenders (Pan-African Human Rights Defenders Network), "I am pleased to inform you that you have been nominated for the 2023 AfricanDefenders Shield Awards by the AfricanDefenders (the Pan-African Human Rights Defenders Network), a network of five African sub-regional organizations, dedicated to the promotion and protection of human rights defenders (HRDs) across the African continent”, a letter nominating Mr. Wemakor for the prestigious awards partly reads.

Wemakor's work centers around advocating for the rights of women, children, and persons with disabilities who face discrimination and abuse in Ghanaian society. He has also been a vocal advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, often in a hostile environment in which same-sex relationships are still criminalized and stigmatized.

Wemakor's advocacy work began when he was in college, where he was involved with various human rights organizations. After graduation, he continued to work in the human rights field, and he has since become a well-known figure in human rights circles in Ghana and beyond.

In recent years, Wemakor has been at the forefront of efforts to ensure that the government of Ghana protects the rights of marginalized communities.

He has advocated for improved access to healthcare, education, and economic opportunities, and he has pushed for increased accountability among government officials and law enforcement agencies.

Wemakor's work has not gone unnoticed, and he has received several awards and recognitions for his efforts.

In 2020, a vibrant advocacy group whom he founded, the Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG) was named a finalist for the 2020 Africans Rising Activism Award under the Movement of the Year category.

In 2021, he was bestowed with a prestigious honorary award for his efforts in promoting peace, security and education in Africa.

This was at the maiden edition of the Africa Early Childhood Education Awards, a distinguished regional award that recognizes the work of human rights defenders working tirelessly to promote peace, security and education at the continental level.

Wemakor's nomination for the AfricanDefenders Shields Awards is a testament to his commitment to human rights and his impact on the lives of the people he serves.

His work has been instrumental in bringing attention to the struggles faced by marginalized communities in Ghana, and he has inspired others to join the fight for human rights.

Wemakor's nomination also highlights the ongoing need for human rights defenders in Ghana and across Africa.

Despite the progress that has been made in recent years, there are still many challenges facing marginalized communities, and human rights defenders like Wemakor are essential in pushing for change.

In Ghana specifically, there are still significant human rights challenges that need to be addressed.

Discrimination against women, children, and persons with disabilities continues to be a widespread problem, and there are also concerns about the use of excessive force by law enforcement agencies.

Wemakor's work has been critical in highlighting these issues and advocating for change.

His nomination for the AfricanDefenders Shields Awards is not only a recognition of his hard work and dedication but also a call to action for others to join the fight for human rights in Ghana and beyond.

In conclusion, Joseph Kobla Wemakor is a leading figure in the fight for human rights in Ghana and has been recognized for his work on a global stage.

His nomination for the AfricanDefenders Shields Awards highlights the importance of his advocacy work and the ongoing need for human rights defenders in Africa.

Wemakor's commitment to protecting the rights of marginalized communities is an inspiration to all those who seek to promote justice and equality, and his work deserves to be celebrated and emulated.