Ghanaian rights activist to speak among acclaimed activists at a global conference on SDGs and Agenda 2063

A celebrated Ghanaian human rights activist cum peace ambassador, Joseph Kobla Wemakor has been tipped among hosts of global human rights activists, speakers and ambassadors of peace to address issues of human rights, sustainable development, peace and justice in Africa at a maiden International conference focused on human rights, Agenda 2030 (SDGs) as well as Agenda 2063.

Dubbed: “the 1st African Legal Conference on SDGs and Agenda 2063” (ALCSA), is a two days virtual conference rallying hosts of distinguished human rights activists together to discuss and proffer solutions to most of the Africa’s pressing issues which ought to be addressed with the aim of bringing Africa closer to achieving both the Agenda 2030 (SDGs) and the Agenda 2063.

The much anticipated seminar is planned to hold virtually from Thursday, 29th of July to Friday 30th July, 2021 on the theme: “Achieving the Pan-African Vision for Peace, Justice and Sustainable Development”.

It is being held in pursuit of attaining the Pan African Vision of “An integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens, representing a dynamic force in the international arena”, according to its organizers.

Joseph would be sharing a panel with hosts of notable global activists/speakers including Halimatou Hima, Minister Counsellor of the Permanent Mission of Niger to the UN, Emeka Obegolu, President, Pan-African Lawyers Union, Nahjae Nunes, UN Youth Advisor for SDGs and 2030 Goals, Imane El Khantouti, Space Systems Engineer and R&D Projects Manager, Dr Daniel C. Gbuije, Founder Team54Project and Allen Herbert, Vice President of Business Development and Strategy at Nanorocks.

It also include Jake Effoduh, Vanier Scholar, Osgoode Hall Law School, Canada, Thiruna Naidoo, Project Officer, SOGIESC Unit Associate:Communications and Advocacy, Gideon Baleke, Executive Director of Rooth Investment Company and Congolese Young Leaders Organization and Dominic Kudom, the National Point of Contact, Ghana Corporate Member, Ghana Institute of Planners.

Mr. Wemakor who doubles as the Executive Director of Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG), National SDGs champion, a seasoned journalist, a staunch human rights activist and the Head of Media and Communication of the PLO Lumumba Foundation Ghana Chapter among others would be enlightening over 500 participants who are expected to join the live feat virtually from across the African continent and beyond on the topic “Respect For Human Rights, Peace, And Justice In Africa”.

The staunch human rights activist has participated and vividly represented Ghana in series of  conferences across the globe including the Summit on South Korea: Covid 19 and Human Rights Abuses, (virtual), 2020 UN High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on SDGs, 24th Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) Peace Day (virtual), African Climate Risks Conference(Addis Ababa), Media Workshop on Intra-African Trade (Casablanca-Morocco) and Workshop on Self-Strength, Adaptive, and Transformational Leadership(US).

Mr. Wemakor has led several initiatives which brought about respect for human rights, peace, freedom and justice in and beyond the borders of Ghana. In 2020, he led an advocacy campaign
to put pressure on the South Korean Authorities which saw the release of Shincheonji church leader, Mr Lee Man-hee (Chairman Lee) from incarceration upon excuse that his actions had contributed to bringing coronavirus into the country.

The letter inviting him to speak at the event from its organizers partly reads: “It is our honour to invite you as one of our panellists to the first ever African Legal Conference on SDGs & Agenda 2063″. “We know that you are a terrific speaker and our attendees and delegates will gain much from your talk and contributions”.

 According to the organizers, their goal is to provoke discussions on issues of Good Governance, Democracy, Respect for Human Rights, Peace, Justice, Strong Institutions, and the Rule of Law.

The 1st African Legal Conference on SDGs & Agenda 2063 is an initiative of Goals Afrika with THE LAW (a firm in Egypt) in partnership with Harvard African Law Association, Centre for African Justice, Peace and Human Right, the Federation of African Law Students Association and Black Interns Matter.

With an estimate of over 500 attendees, the 2021 ALCSA will bring together students, entrepreneurs, legal practitioners, young professionals, Africans in the Diaspora, media, heads of key continental and global institutions, pan-African unions, and youth councils, UN and AU leaders, civil society and private sectors partners, etc.

The conference aims to connect and inspire people to collectively take action in implementing the Global Goals and Agenda 2063 at the African continental level.

Goals Afrika is a global, non-profit organization registered in South Africa, committed to working to achieve Agenda 2030 and Agenda 2063 in Africa through citizen diplomacy initiatives.

All those who wished to participate in the 20211st African Legal Conference on SDGs and Agenda 2063 are encouraged to register here: 

Source:Goals Afrika

Human Rights Reporters Ghana calls for proper investigation into alleged assault and battery by military personnel on unarmed protesting students

Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG) has been following the media space with grave concern on the alleged cases of assault and battery on unarmed students in Kumasi Senior High School protesting the Ghana Education Service (GES) directives to keep them in school for their mid-semester break instead of going home.

The report in the media landscape suggests alleged physical and psychological abuse on the school girls’. Some students granted interviews in which they revealed that soldiers broke into their dormitory, pulled some of them out, caned them and even stepped on their abdomens.

As far as one is quick to dismiss such accounts as a figment of the students’ imagination and over exaggeration, HRRG is therefore calling for a proper investigation into these allegations, rightly so because of the military’s earlier reported involvement in similar human right abuses in Wa and in Ejura.

We cannot deny the crucial role the police and other legally mandated institutions play in protecting properties and maintaining peace and order in our country. As a matter of law by virtue of section 35 of Act 29 the police as a peace officer is mandated to use necessary force to maintain order, however if the accounts given by the students prove to be true then the security personnel involved overstepped their bounds and certainly may have committed assault and battery by virtue of section 84 to 87 of Act 29.

As earlier stated, the relevant authorities should thoroughly investigate the claims of these students to forestall similar alleged abuses from ever happening in our schools bearing in mind the trauma and physical injury associated with such acts on victims especially minors.

Also HRRG pleads with our armed forces, especially the soldiers, to stay away from duties and roles specifically assigned to police officers.

Finally, HRRG entreats all students especially those in the senior high schools to peacefully cooperate with the authorities in their schools and to adhere to all instructions, Rules and Regulations that have been put in place to protect them and the public in this abnormal times bearing in mind the surge in COVID-19 infections in the country.

Thank you.

Signed

Joseph Wemakor

Executive Director

Tel: 0243676813

Margaret Attipoe

Administrative Assistant

Tel: 0554569068