KTT Project – Human Rights Reporters Ghana (NGO)

July 25, 2023July 25, 2023

Human Rights Reporters Ghana wins top UN Award

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 representing 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).

Source:3news.com

April 17, 2019June 12, 2019

CareGuide Montessori Pupils Educated on Kidnapping by HRRG

Pupils of CareGuide Mtonessori School at Gbawe, in Accra, have been sensitised on kidnapping and its related issues to guide them in taking precautions to avoid being victims.

Madam Betty Akumatey, the Director of the School, said kidnapping had been a global phenomenon, which had rocked the nation in recent times.

“Cultural perspective no longer holds and we have become too hospitable to strangers and our children are also very welcoming of strangers and that puts them at risk,” she said.

“We can’t take these things for granted anymore because there are criminals creeping in from various societies and countries, especially with what is happening in Nigeria, having a clang on us in Ghana.”

The sensitization programme was organised in collaboration with the Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG), a non-governmental organisation, which has launched a campaign to fight kidnapping in the country.

The HRRG also campaigns against all forms of violence against women and children including Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, Child Trafficking, and Child Marriage.

Madam Akumatey, who is also a Sociologist, Anthropologist and Gender Expert, advised Ghanaians to be vigilant, be careful of who they trusted, and excise caution in extending the proverbial ‘Ghanaian hospitality’ to strangers.

While acknowledging the Human Rights Reporters for organising the programme for the School, she appealed to other organisations, government agencies and individuals in similar advocacy to collaborate to end the activities of kidnappers in the country.

“This should go on in all social circles, churches and schools, homes, communities, wherever, and above all in the media, especially now that a lot of children are using social media,” she said.

April 10, 2019June 12, 2019

CareGuide Montessori School Pupils sensitized on kidnapping

By Joseph Kobla Wemakor

The Director of CareGuide Montessori School, located at Gbawe, in the Greater Accra Region, Mad. Betty Akumatey has called for government support to help augment various sensitization exercises on kidnapping being organized by some Non-Governmental and Civil Society Organizations in the country as a way of tackling the canker of abduction that has rocked the nation in recent times.

“I think the sensitization must go on from all levels and I believe that this is something that government should throw its weight behind”.

“It should go on in all social circles, churches and schools, homes, communities, wherever, and above all in the media, especially now that a lot of our children are using social media., we should have them sensitized at all fronts”.

Madam Akumatey made this known on the sidelines of a sensitization exercise on kidnapping conducted by the Human Rights Reporters Ghana(HRRG) during their visit to the CareGuide Montessori School, located at Gbawe, in the Greater Accra Region on Monday April 8, 2019.

The exercise which formed part of a campaign by the Human Rights group to rid Ghana of kidnapping issues which has become a phenomenon in recent times saw 250 kids made up of pupils of KG1 up to JHS 3 vigorously sensitized on the modus operandi, tricks, techniques and strategies employ by kidnappers to get their targets.

During the exercise, which was very interactive, the participants had turns to ask mindboggling questions on kidnapping and answers were adequately provided to their satisfaction.

The sensitization exercise was conducted in batches, taking level of the kids into consideration. It was conducted by the able team of HRRG volunteers made up of Nana Owusu Boadu, Beatrice Annan and Benjamin Hallo with support of the HRRG’s Executive Director, Mr. Joseph Kobla Wemakor.

The issue of kidnapping raised its ugly head in Ghana in August last year and continues to wreak havoc without any concrete solution.

The incredible disappearance of seven (7) girls in 2018 among others of which 3 of them from the Western Region are yet to be found still remains a mystery to unravel.

Kidnapping is the act of abducting, seizing or capturing someone and holding him/her captive against the law, and will of the person. While people are kidnapped and killed for rituals, blood money, and other evil motives, others are kidnapped, raped, killed and dumped on the streets.

The act leads to the violation of the freedom and fundamental human rights of kidnapped persons which is a criminal offence.

According to media reports, since invasion of the phenomenon in the country last year, young girls and children of school-going age have become the most affected.

The social issue has caught the attention of Human Rights Reporters Ghana(HRRG), an NGO championing human rights issues in Ghana to sensitize school children and the general public on the activities of kidnappers with the hope that the information will go a long way to help educate, inform and arm the public with strategies to help foil such attempts of kidnappers.

Madam Betty Akumatey, who is also an experienced sociologist, anthropologist and gender expert, in an interview, described the issue of kidnapping as a global phenomenon but notes that it is currently taking root in our part of the world.

She, therefore, advised Ghanaians to be circumspect in extending the proverbial Ghanaian hospitality to strangers, and conscientize children accordingly, so that they don’t assume that everybody is kind.

According to her, that cultural perspective no longer holds, adding, “we can’t take these things for granted anymore because there are criminals creeping in from various societies, countries, especially we know what is happening in Nigeria, you know, It’s having a toll on us”.

“We are too welcoming of strangers and our children are also very welcoming of strangers and that puts them at risk”.

“We should all be vigilant now and not just trust anybody” She stressed.

While patting the Human Rights Reporters Ghana on the back for a good job done to sensitize school children and the public on the canker, she quickly appealed to other organization and individuals championing similar causes, including government, to collaborate to end the activities of kidnappers in the country.

March 29, 2019June 12, 2019

Human Rights group enlightens over 200 pupils on tricks of kidnappers

Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG), an NGO committed to ending all forms of human rights abuses in the country has enlightened over 200 pupils of the Hilen Springfield School in Accra on modus operandi, techniques and pranks of kidnappers in the country.

The sensitization exercise which was staged at the Hilen Springfield School campus in the early hours of March 28, 2019

School children benefit from KTT Project

saw participants adequately equipped and empowered with knowledge on how to outwit the pranks kidnappers employ to lure their unsuspecting victims.

They were also provided with guidelines and tips on how to unearth those pranks whenever they happened to encounter movement of the so-called kidnappers anywhere near them.

The sensitization exercise which was more of an interactive session was conducted by a team of volunteers made up of lawyers, journalists and human rights activists who are members of the distinguished Human Rights group.

The pupils had turns to ask questions and answers were provided to them in satisfaction.

According to Mr. Joseph Kobla Wemakor, the Executive Director of the group, the need to embark on the sensitization campaign was informed by the rising spate of kidnapping issues involving the youth especially school-going age girls and children in recent times.

The move seeks to help demystify the kidnapping phenomenon in order to help save the country from unrest including other human rights violations that characterized the nation.

“Apart from sensitizing the students on kidnapping issues, Teenage Pregnancy and Tramadol abuse are equally two areas of major concern to us which we will be focusing on as an organization under our project for the year”.

Ghana has been rocked with issues of kidnapping in recent times.

The missing of 21-year-old Priscilla Blessing Bentum on August 17, 2018 followed by 18-year-old Ruth Love Quayson on December 4, 2018 including the phenomenomenal disappearance of 18-year-old Priscilla Mantebea Koranchie since December 21, 2019 without any trace have been a great cause of worry not only to their families but to the entire nation.

Commenting on the sensitization exercise by HRRG, Headmaster of Hilen Springfield School, Mr. Daniel Mensah noted the initiative is a laudable one which ought to be replicated in other schools in the country.

He therefore appealed to well-meaning Ghanaians, corporate institutions, nonprofit organizations among others to support the efforts of the Human Rights group to further take the campaign to other schools within the ten regions of Ghana.

“It’s very pathetic to see children of school-going age kidnapped these days and we don’t even know their whereabouts at all”

“So is a good initiative that it should be replicated across the entire country so that children can learn from it”.

The Protocol Prefect of Hilen Springfield School, Michael Dadzie in an interview advised his colleague students to desist from accepting gifts from strangers.

He also cautioned them against plying through secluded routes to avoid being kidnapped.

Daniel confirmed he has benefited greatly from the training received and was convinced his colleagues did same.

The Hilen Springfield School was established in 2006 by Elder Ernest Danso as a Private Educational Institute to groom students and instill in them Christian values and principles to achieve academic and moral excellence, gain self-confidence among others.

The school, which is situated at Gbawe-Zero within the Greater Accra Region has a population of over 200 students and is noted to have produced brilliant crops of students who are currently pursuing their higher education in top senior high and tertiary schools in the country.