Joseph Kobla Wemakor, a distinguished Ghanaian journalist and passionate human rights advocate, has been honored with the prestigious Global Doctoral Humanitarian and Ministerial Excellence Award for 2024 by the Board of Regents of the International Kingdom University (IKU) in Margate, Florida, USA.
This accolade recognizes his outstanding leadership and unwavering commitment to humanitarian efforts.
The award notification highlighted Wemakor’s lifelong dedication to community development, stating, “We consider it worthwhile to officially confer this honor upon you after a careful study and monitoring of your lifestyle and social work.”
The Selecting Committee praised his exemplary character and significant contributions to both his community and country, describing him as “a noble personality with integrity who deserves this great highest academic achievement.”
As the founder and Executive Director of Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG), Wemakor has made significant contributions to media advocacy, bringing together journalists, editors, lawyers, and human rights defenders to champion social justice.
He is also a vocal advocate for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and serves as the Convener of the Ghana Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) Platform on SDGs (Youth sub-platform).
His impressive credentials include being an honorary graduate of the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) and a fellow of the Bloomberg Media Initiative Africa Financial Journalism Program.
Dr. Joseph Wemakor’s accolades also encompass the 5th UN Global Entreps Awards, the Africa Peace Advocate Award in 2023, and recognition as a finalist for both the 2023 African Human Rights Defenders Shield Award and the African Rising Activism Award 2020 in the Movement of the Year Category.
At the award ceremony, Rev. Dr. Christian Heim, Chancellor of IKU, addressed the audience, stating, “It’s my privilege to stand before you today… to celebrate exceptional leaders and citizens who have made significant contributions to humanity.”
He underscored the importance of honoring living leaders, saying, “We believe in honoring the living rather than the deceased.”
Dr. Heim expressed gratitude to those who made the event possible and called for support to establish a permanent campus for IKU in Ghana, emphasizing, “We are investing in people that we have no clue until we train them that they might achieve great things.”
He encouraged contributions, reminding attendees, “You don’t sow good seed in bad ground. You sow good seed in good ground that produces a good harvest.”
Dr. Francis Essel Okyeahene, Chairman of the Governance & Development Committee, also delivered an inspiring speech, welcoming all attendees and emphasizing the significance of the 24th edition of the Global Doctoral Humanitarian Excellence Award.
He expressed pride in conferring honorary degrees on outstanding individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and compassion.
Dr. Joseph Kobla Wemakor was joined by other notable honorees, including Ing. George Asiedu, Project Coordinator of the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA) Sanitation and Water Project, Dela Gomado, Torgbui Ogidigah Prosper, Apostle Micheal Akesseh, and many others, including Rt. Rev. Samuel Ashmond Mensah and Prophet Kingsford Aidoo Maxwell.
Archbishop General Obenfo George Slezer Ofori-Atah also shared his insights during the ceremony, stating, “I want to talk a little on embodying leadership, inspiring transformation, embodying excellence.” He emphasized the significance of the honorary doctorate, noting that it is “a testament to exceptional leadership and achievement.”
He urged the honorees to recognize their power to shape cultures and transform lives, asserting, “Leadership is not just a title; it is a way of being.”
Wemakor’s latest honor reflects his tireless efforts in journalism, humanitarian advocacy, and the promotion of human rights in Ghana and beyond.
Reflecting on this recognition, he stated, “This is a monumental achievement that has transformed my life. With deep honor and gratitude, I want to say a big thank you to the Board of Regents at the International Kingdom University and its Selecting Committee for this great honor.”
As Dr. Okyeahene concluded, “They will honor you before you die. You will be a brother of God before you die. Your children will be okay.”
This powerful message resonated deeply with the audience, celebrating the impact of all honorees and reinforcing the importance of their work in contributing to a better society.
